This chapter is still locked.
The chapters build on each other. Complete the previous ones first and this chapter unlocks automatically.
Continue with Chapter 1Back to overviewThis is where an AI employee differs from an AI tool. Your corrections aren’t one-offs; they’re his onboarding. The first result won’t always be a hundred percent right. The missing few percent aren’t a shortcoming; think of them as an onboarding conversation.
A tool starts from zero every time. Your AI employee doesn’t. You can give him rules, and you can tell him what to remember. He writes it down and sticks to it from then on, in every task and on every day, even if you never mention it again. That’s how, week by week, he becomes more and more your employee, one who knows how things work at your company.
A correction applies to this one result: “Make the subject line shorter.”
A rule applies from now on, every time: “Remember this: our subject lines are always under eight words.”
The magic words are “Remember this.” You can just as well say: “From now on, this is a hard rule.” Whenever you make a correction and think, this actually applies across the board, turn it into a rule. Little by little, that’s how your own house rules take shape. And that’s how he never makes the same mistake twice.
Rules for content. They define what your results look like: how you address customers, what tone to use, what must never happen.
You: The draft is good, but on first contact we never write “Hi Mr. Weber,” always “Dear Mr. Weber.” Remember this.
He: Noted as a hard rule. I’ve updated the draft.
Rules for working together. They define how the two of you work with each other: when he gets started, when he waits, how he sends you results. You already know one example from Chapter 2: with “Briefing,” he just listens until you say “Done.” Another one happens faster than you’d think. On the go, you drop a few files into the chat, and before you can type what you want done with them, he’s already started. That costs you time and him unnecessary computing power. One rule, and it won’t happen again:
You: Remember this: when I send you files or photos without any text, don’t start yet. Wait for my instructions.
He: Noted as a hard rule. From now on, when files come in without text, I’ll wait for your instructions.
Praise matters as much as criticism.
Tell him when you like something. When he’s done something especially well, when a text hits your tone exactly, when an idea moves you forward: tell him. A sentence like “Exactly like this, that’s the right tone” makes this version the benchmark. Then he understands not only what you don’t want, but also what you do like.
You: The opening is really good, that’s exactly how I want it. Remember this style.
He: Glad to hear it. I’ll use it as the benchmark for your next quotes.
That’s how the two of you get to know each other better and better. A good employee wants to work in a way that leaves the boss happy with the results. Your AI employee wants exactly the same thing, and your praise shows him where he’s already on the right track.
Say what’s not right, and what should stay.
The most expensive reflex is: “Fine, I’ll just do it myself.” That gets the task done today, and next week it’s back on your desk. Here’s the better way, and it takes one minute:
1 · Say what’s not right. Be specific: not “I don’t like it,” but “too formal, the customer is an old acquaintance.”
2 · Say what should stay. “Keep the opening exactly as it is, just change the ending.”
3 · Have him revise it. The second version arrives in minutes.
4 · Turn it into a rule. “Remember this: with regular customers, stay formal but relaxed.”
Why point 2 matters so much: if you only say what should change, he decides on his own what else to improve while revising. In the process, the very thing you liked about the first version can disappear. So also tell him what was good and should stay. Over time, he develops a feel for touching only what you’ve pointed out.
And if you want to know everything he’s remembered so far:
“What rules have you remembered from me?”
Then you get the whole list and can tidy it up.
Does he really remember rules for good?
Yes. Whatever you set with “Remember this” applies until you change it.
What if two people give him conflicting rules?
Then he says so instead of quietly guessing, and asks which one should apply. How you decide whose word counts is covered in Chapter 8.
And if something really does go wrong?
Tell him. He sets it right, apologizes where needed, and turns it into a rule. And by the way, it’ll make you better at this with people, too.
Every rule is a hand that, from now on, reaches for the right thing on its own.
Read everything? Then complete the chapter.
That unlocks Chapter 4, and your progress is saved.