What if the biggest AI skill gap heading into 2027 isn't prompting, but critical thinking?

As AI becomes better at generating answers, professionals face a different challenge: knowing which answers to trust, which assumptions to question, and when human judgment needs to take the lead.

Following the conversation about AI and professional identity, Melissa Sierra returns with seven practical habits to strengthen before the end of 2026.

From defining problems and evaluating evidence to constructive disagreement and decision ownership, this episode explores how to become a more capable AI user without outsourcing the very thinking that makes your expertise valuable.

For employees, it's an opportunity to build confidence and independent judgment.

For managers, it's a challenge to rethink how capability is developed and evaluated.

For organizational leaders, it's a reminder that AI adoption and human capability development are not the same thing.

The future may reward people who know what to question, not simply what to prompt.

Complete one practice each day using a real work problem.

☐ Day 1: Define a problem before prompting

☐ Day 2: Test two assumptions

☐ Day 3: Verify three factual claims

☐ Day 4: Write my opinion before using AI

☐ Day 5: Identify three missing contextual factors

☐ Day 6: Ask AI to challenge my position

☐ Day 7: Explain and own an AI-assisted decision

Explore your leadership effectiveness with Melissa's free Executive Leadership Scorecard:

https://executivecoaching-melissasierra.scoreapp.com/

For executive coaching, organizational leadership development, advisory services, or keynote speaking, connect with Melissa:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissasierra/