Frameworks: The New King on the AI Chessboard of Life

I was playing chess with my boys some time ago, and something came to mind. A part of me feels it was inspired by the intro story in my book, but, hey, I guess that’s just where my mind is, so I ran with it.

Ok, so... I got to thinking:

These little guys weren't just learning chess moves, they were learning how to think ahead… how to think, you know, strategically.        

It’s pretty easy to agree with the notion that it’s important we teach the next generation to think several moves ahead. Yes?

After all, life is just one big chessboard.

So, now that AI is changing the game, what say you we chat about developing the frameworks necessary for thriving in this new AI-driven world?

Ready?

Let’s do it.?

OK, most of you remember when we first got web search. We all had to learn how to think in keywords:

"pet store parakeet cage open now."

But today, with AI, we're learning to think in prompts:?

"I need to make a DIY cage for an injured parakeet that my 5-year-old brought home from the park. I have a bucket, packing tape, and a spoon. Help me create a cage that will last until morning and make my kid proud of me."

That's a whole different mindset, eh? So where do we begin with learning this new skill?

Just like when we’re learning chess, we begin with the basics.

We start with learning a few basic steps and a rather basic mindset. It’s all pretty fundamental, kinda like keywords were (and still are). But with AI, that simplicity doesn’t really work. We need more advanced frameworks, more advanced steps, and richer patterns.?

Here’s how you should be thinking today:

"Analyze three project management tools under $50 a month that integrate with Slack and prioritize team collaboration. Consider our remote-first culture and need for async communication."

And here's a reminder of how you used to think:

“project management tools slack integration remote teams”

Which way of thinking is not only more powerful today but is an absolute necessity for tomorrow?

Po-shen Loh, a mathematician and coach of the US International Math Olympiad team, pointed out,

"Today, everyone needs to learn how to grade the homework... because someday if you want to do anything in the world, the first thing you will do is you will ask ChatGPT."?

The Game Has Changed: Make the Invisible Visible

Rook. On the edge, smack dab in the middle of the board. It controls the entire center line, an invisible line of force across the whole board. Imagine that in your daily work processes. You create unseen patterns of activity, of influence, you control the middle of the board.

But how do you establish these patterns, these invisible lines??

Let me share a recent example from work.

Last month our team was transitioning tools. Some folks were chess masters with the prior tool (mostly the tenured team members). With the new tool, though, suddenly everyone is forced to learn how pawns move—if ya’know what I mean. The solution wasn't teaching them all a collection of basic moves. The solution was mapping out how (and incredibly importantly, WHY) this new tool works.

Process Flows in the Age of AI

If you’re in engineering, manufacturing, construction, or really, just enjoy building stuff, you’ll remember the basics of a rudimentary assembly line.?

• Hole digger hands off a completed hole to a cement mixer
• Cement mixer hands off their work to the carpenter
• Carpenter set the wood into the cement, and hands off their work to the painter
• Painter puts the finishing touches on a beautiful new fence between you and that “lovely” neighbor.

Pretty basic stuff, right?

Ask yourself, though: where are the invisible lines of influence in that fence work flow?

Today’s process flows are entirely different beasts. They’re are about visualizing and leveraging those invisible workflows. Here's what I mean:

Old Way (before AI):

• Document steps in your process
• Follow standard work procedures to execute on those steps
• Repeat processes, check a few boxes.

New Way (AI-powered):

• Map internal and external thinking patterns
• Identify short, mid, and long term needs, decision points, and current capabilities
• Continually adapt the framework with speed and flexibility

One of my mentees recently asked, "Can we just have AI analyze the money that came in, what went out, and then ask it for stuff like where to improve, and how much can we spend on a work truck?"

Reminded me of my kids commenting on why they even need to bother learning how to play chess when a computer can play it for them.

If you’ve read my other articles, you know I’m a fan of the “AI isn't replacing you” frame of mind. AI is making frameworks more crucial than ever–importantly, though, AI is requiring an advanced mindset. You can’t approach AI with just keywords. You need to pre-think, frame your ask, and be prescriptive about it.

As Naval Ravikant wisely said,

"In an age of infinite leverage, judgment, not work, determines success or failure."

Key Takeaway: The power isn't the AI itself. The power is you, the mindset you bring, and the framework you use to wield that AI sword effectively.

The Likeable AI Whisperer: A Balancing Act

Last Tuesday you were in a meeting where someone was explaining an AI thingamabob. You remember their technical knowledge was impressive. Akin to a college professor. And, it was like listening to an advanced calculus Audiobook. About as exciting as watching paint dry.

In stark contrast, Alison Fragale commented on the "PFX KMM Volume 2024 2025 - 11-7-2024.xlsx" phenomenon.

"A 'likeable badass' is someone who shows up with a blend of two essential traits: capability and care. It's about being both assertive and warm—demonstrating that you know what you're doing, you're good at it, and you genuinely care about others."

Definitely not like watching paint dry.?

So, how do you find the balance to be both likeable and a badass?

A couple of weeks ago I watched a non-senior team member explain how the new tool works to a mixed crowd of colleagues and senior leadership.

Instead of droning on about the technical details, they used Stanford professor Francis Flynn's S-I-M-P-L-E framework:

• Stories: Shared real examples within in the tool itself
• Images: Used clear, simple, logical process maps
• Metaphors: Compared the tool to a strong and flexible tag-team partner
• Parables: Described mini-usecases where success was had
• Lists: Broke down complex ideas simply, in 4 or 5 steps
• Examples: Demonstrated practical applications

With a thorough approach like this, you might expect even our most tech-skeptical team members got on board with the new tool. And you’d be right. It made my adoption rates skyrocket. Satisfaction was high, bug and issue reporting was low. Such a great win.???

Key Takeaway: Technical expertise without human connection is like having an intricate, multi-level chess board but not knowing how to teach the basics of the game to others. Yes, it’s snazzy, but it’s impact and utility are limited.

Cross-Generational Chess: Everyone's Learning Something New

You know what's cool about playing chess with your kids? Sometimes they see moves that completely blindside you. Yes, I’ve been beaten by my kids. Not ashamed to say it. I still love them, and I welcome the learnings I take from those moments.

It reminds me of how my Gen-Z mentee influences me with his vision and fearlessness. Just like AI, his freshness is unburdened by "that's how I’ve always done it."

The Three-Dimensional Chessboard

In today's workplace, we're all playing on different levels:

The Veterans (that’s your Senior Leadership)

• ??Rich in business wisdom
• ??Masters of traditional frameworks
• ??Sometimes (many times? <gasp> always!?) skeptical of AI, but they deeply understand human dynamics

The Bridge Builders (that's most of us)

• ??Straddling analog and digital worlds
• ??Translating between old and new
• ??Building frameworks that connect both

??

The Digital Natives

• ??Intuitive AI users
• ??Quick to adopt, eager to innovate
• ??Need help connecting tools to business context

Last month, one of our veteran leaders was dropping some deep knowledge on a call with lots of people on it. We were using Teams, the call was being recorded, the transcript can be pulled up on screen in real-time, and we have a Microsoft Copilot license, so we can ask the AI bot questions of the transcript.?

So, this leader was moving a mile a minute, and I missed the lead up to a deeper topic. I asked the Copilot AI for a summary, for who followed-up on the leader's piece with supporting details, and the next steps.?

The AI put out a concise version of precisely what was said, identified who supported it and what they said in support, and listed action items that were said long after the initial lead-up that I had missed.?

Since I’m the only one who saw the chat, I was having with the AI bot, I copied that output and pasted it right into the group chat so everyone can see it.

Boom, I look like the expert note-taker, with razor sharp information synthesis skills.?

As Po-shen Loh notes,

"What the world needs now is a large-scale way for everyone to learn how to come up with their own way of thinking, not just how to do the problems."

Key Takeaway: Like a multi-generational chess club, each group brings their own unique strengths. Your job isn't to force everyone to play the same way; you should be out to create frameworks that help everyone all play better, together.

Back to the Board: Your Next Move

Over the weekend, I played a 3-person game of chess with my boys.

• Player 1 moves White first.
• We rotate the board so Player 2 can see from Black’s perspective; they move Black.
• Then we rotate the board again so Player 3 can see from White’s perspective; they move White.
• Then we rotate the board again; now it’s back to Player 1, and they have to move Black.

Every player gets to move both colors on the board.?        

Snazzy, eh? We're not competing against each other, nor are we playing as a team. But we are all playing to win.

This unique approach to chess mirrors exactly what successful orgs are doing with AI.

It's not about competing perspectives or even strict teamwork—it's about understanding multiple viewpoints, adapting to different positions, combining frameworks that leverage everyone's strengths, and making the best possible move regardless of where you sit at the table. If you read between those lines, the words that comes to mind are nimble, flexible, agile (lowercase a).

Preparing to Make Your Next Move

The strategic frameworks we talking through here all share a common thread: they all help us make better decisions by making the invisible visible.

Whether it's:

• A process flow that reveals hidden workflows
• Communication frameworks that bridge technology with real humans
• Cross-generational collaboration that combines wisdom with innovation and fearlessness

Remember what Naval Ravikant said about judgment determining success?

"In an age of infinite leverage, judgment, not work, determines success or failure."

That's truer now than ever.

Your ability to think in frameworks, to prompt effectively, to build invisible lines of strength and support, and to connect authentically will set you apart more than any single skill or piece of knowledge.

Your Strategic Position Checklist

Control the Center

• Learn and master these key frameworks
• Map clear process flows
• Build authentic connections across generations

Know Your Position

• Balance the technical with the relatable
• Understand AI capabilities and limitations
• Recognize when to push and when to pause

Plan Your Next Move

• Think in frameworks, not just steps
• Connect across generational lines
• Keep learning, keep teaching

The Future Game (Hint: The future is here)

Just like chess will always be chess — yes, there’s 3D chess and even Chess Boxing, but work with me on this, we’re almost done :) — so, yeah, just like chess will always be chess, business will always be about creating value (for the org, for your team, and for yourself). The tools change (they always have and always will) but the fundamentals don’t.

Leaders who thrive will be those who can adapt their thinking while staying true to core principles.

The AI-driven future is here, today. Long gone are the days of thinking in keywords. It's not about memorizing steps or moves or mastering every new tool. It's about developing frameworks that help us—and those we lead—think more clearly, decisively, wisely, and connect more authentically.

<rotates the board>        

It’s your move.

Hashtags for the bots:

#AILeadership?#FrameworkThinking?#StrategicLeadership?#ProcessMapping?#GenerationalBridges?#BusinessStrategy?#DigitalTransformation?#LeadershipDevelopment?#AIAdoption?#StrategicThinking

Inspo Sources:

- Po-shen Loh's interview on education and AI

- Alison Fragale's "Likeable Badass"

- Stanford Professor Francis J. Flynn's S-I-M-P-L-E framework

- Naval Ravikant's insights on leverage and judgment

- Process mapping expertise from industry leaders