The Email Upgrade

For all of these exercises you'll have a base scenario, then we'll teach you how to improve on it with two Level Up steps (and sometimes a third). This builds your skills from beginner to expert AI user - and sets you up to add the "Prompt Engineering" skill to your LinkedIn profile.

Scenario: A colleague asks if you can take over their project while they're away. You don't want to say yes - but you also don't want to burn any bridges.

We've all had moments like this. A well-meaning colleague sends a friendly message… with a massive favour tucked inside. You want to be supportive. But you also know you're at capacity. How do you reply with grace, honesty, and boundaries?

This task shows how you can shape a thoughtful, respectful response using AI - not just to write the words, but to match your tone and intention.

What you'll learn

• How to frame your intention clearly so the AI helps you land the right message
• How to shape the style so it actually sounds like you
• How to build confidence in using AI for workplace communication

Step 1 - Start with the base prompt

Copy this into ChatGPT or Copilot Chat to see what you get:

Write a reply to this email from my colleague Jess. Here's their email:

Subject: Quick favour - can you help out while I'm away?

Hi!
I've just found out I need to be off work for a few weeks starting next Monday, and I was wondering if you'd be able to take over the product rollout project while I'm away? Most of it is already set up - there are just a few supplier meetings and a weekly check-in to keep things moving.
Totally understand if it's too much at short notice - just thought I'd ask.
Thanks so much,
Jess

It will give you something functional - but it might be a bit bland. Useful, but not quite you. That's OK. We're just getting started.

⬆️ Level up 1 - Set the intention

Guide the AI by telling it what you're really trying to achieve - not just words, but goals.

Write a reply that politely says I can't take on the full project, but I'm happy to help with urgent parts. I want to be supportive without overcommitting. Please also write it in UK English.

This works because it shifts the focus from "just answer this email" to "help me handle this conversation well."

⬆️ Level up 2 - Add your voice

Here's where the magic happens. You bring the human touch.

Can you make it sound like me? Friendly but clear, like the kind of message I'd say in person.

This helps the AI write in a tone that reflects you.

⬆️ Optional Level up 3 - Teach AI how you really write

Paste in a few emails you've written in the past and say:

Here are a few examples of how I usually write. Can you match the tone and style:

The more examples you give, the better the match will be.

Write your own

How would you edit the final response to make it feel even more natural?