Appearing in Someone's Story: Practical Applications of Generative AI and the Location of Humanity
Hello, I am Mitsunori Kimura, an expert in Smile Engineering. Please see this article for more on "Smile Engineering."
Recently, I have come to have a slightly different answer than before to the question, "What is the best way to use generative AI?"
I feel that the phase of it being merely a tool for work efficiency has passed. What I am focusing on now is the aspect that generative AI can become a support device for refining the 'words' needed to appear in someone's story.
In this note, I will share how to apply the true value of generative AI to business, along with practical script examples, from the perspective that "a person's value is determined by whose story they appear in."
And at the end of the article, I would like to answer the question, "So, when everyone can use this method, where does humanity reside?"
The Essence of Appearing in a Story
I was taught in a lecture that a person's value is not just about what they have accomplished, but also about who remembers them.
The book 'Life as a Daymaker: How to Change the World by Simply Making Someone's Day' by American hairdresser David Wagner writes about the importance of living as a "Daymaker," which means "making someone's day right in front of you special."
I once borrowed the original book, but I didn't have the energy to read the whole thing, so I will explain the main points I was taught in the lecture:
A hairdresser treated a customer who happened to visit the shop with their usual smile and conversation, and the customer later sent a letter saying, "Because of you, I stopped myself from dying." I was made aware of the importance of living not as "just a hairdresser" but as a "Daymaker"—someone who changes a person's day and life.
That was the point. It is the story that a person's value lies in delivering small hopes or changes to the heart of someone right in front of you through your own words and actions, and leaving a positive impact on their life and memories.
Indeed,
"My life changed because of one word from that boss"
"That presentation determined the direction of the project"
"The conversation from that night still stays with me"
These things happen often.
And those people are more than just "people who achieved results"; they are "people who appeared in the story of someone's life."
Whether in an organization or in customer relationships, doesn't the phrase "because that person was there" prove their essential value?
In this way, a presence that influences the choices and emotional movements of othersis someone who appears in a story.
As generative AI develops day by day, I have come to think.
"Can generative AI become a Daymaker...?"
The answer I have reached at this point is that while it is difficult for generative AI alone to become a Daymaker, by using generative AI, you can "refine the words for you to appear in someone's story".
Generative AI that supports 'people who appear in stories'
When we talk about something, we are actually just organizing our own thoughts and feelings.
I have feelings, but I can't put them into words well
I have true feelings, but I'm not sure how to convey them to the other person
I have a question, but I'm not sure what I want to ask
AI is surprisingly compatible with these 'things that are about to become words'.
Generative AI changes its form in response to questions, responding objectively at times and emotionally at others. Because it does not make value judgments like a human, it becomes a space where you can safely vent 'provisional thoughts'. Even if you were to say something that might make your humanity questionable during a thought experiment with generative AI, it would have no impact on the real world.
By repeating the process of 'putting it out once' -> 'noticing something by looking at what came back' -> 'rephrasing it yourself', I believe that words can be refined, and those words can evolve into 'words that reach someone's heart'.
That is why I recommend talking to AI before having a conversation with someone, writing a note, or engaging in team dialogue. It is not just 'practice for speaking', but a thought experiment and a way to build a structure for appearing.
Practical examples in the business field
So, how should you actually use it? I have thought of a few practical examples.
Note that before throwing these scripts at it, it is best to have it learn the prerequisites (context) as much as possible. If you are a company, throw things like corporate philosophy, your position, your subordinate's personality and work history, and past events to the generative AI first.
The key to getting effective assistance in creating your own unique text with your own hands is to convey this 'context' and 'purpose' as a set.
With that in mind, it is effective to use scripts like the following.
1. Preparing questions before a dialogue with a subordinate
部下が最近、なんだか悩んでそう。
お昼休みに一緒にランチを食べることにしている。
どういう問い方をすれば「正解」ではなく「感情」を引き出せる？
いくつか考えてみて。For example, generative AI responded like this.
For questions that draw out true feelings and emotions rather than 'correct answers' or clichés, the following approaches are effective. The point is to make them concrete, easy-to-answer questions that don't make the other person feel 'evaluated', and to provide a sense of security. Ways to ask questions to draw out emotions: 'Is there anything on your mind lately?'
'Was there a moment recently where you felt a bit fuzzy about something?'
'Whether it's work or private life, what is the biggest thing on your mind right now?'
'Can you tell me something that made you happy recently, or conversely, something that was a bit tough?'
'Has there been anything recently that you thought, "I'm worried about this"?'
'Not "what are you having trouble with at work," but is there anything bothering you emotionally?'
'Was there anything you were thinking about on your way here this morning?'
Tips for asking questions: Start by saying, 'It doesn't have to be a big reason.'
Tell them, 'It's okay if you don't want to say it if it's hard to answer.'
Open up a little about your own failures and feelings to create an atmosphere.
The important thing is to focus on 'subjectivity'—'how do you feel right now?'—rather than 'what is correct.'
Since it's a relaxed time like lunch, it's important to create an atmosphere where the 'window of the heart' opens little by little in a natural way.
The point is to make your own choices from here and throw them out in your own words. It's like using the options for what kind of questions are good as a reference.
2. Placing a 'story' at the beginning of a project presentation
社内で、上司に、新規事業のプレゼンテーションをします。
この企画を通すには、上層部の意思決定を動かす“最初の一言”が鍵になります。
どのように切り出せば良いでしょうか。In response to this, I received the following answer.
The opening of a new business presentation is certainly important. You need to capture the attention of upper management in an instant. As for effective ways to start, the following approaches can be considered:
1. Demonstrate the urgency of the market opportunity "Next year, a new market worth X billion yen will emerge in our industry. However, this opportunity will only remain for 18 months."
2. Clearly state current issues with figures "Currently, we are continuing to lose X00,000 yen in opportunities annually. With this proposal, we can convert that into profit."
3. Create a sense of crisis from competitor movements "Companies A and B have already entered similar areas. If we are going to act, now is the last chance."
4. Attract interest with specific revenue prospects "I have brought a plan that will allow us to achieve sales of X billion yen and a profit margin of X% in three years with this business."The most effective approach is to link it directly to the specific management issues and strategic goals your company is currently facing. If you can tell me what your boss or upper management usually prioritizes, I can provide more specific advice.
What kind of industry and business are you in, and what points are your upper management particularly concerned about?
Even without providing any specific prerequisites, it gives general answers. As the generative AI's response also suggests, if you send more information via chat, it will likely provide a more specific response.
3. Using it for the structure of notes and speeches
新規事業を立ち上げて半年間、
うまくいかず苦しかった時期があります。
その後、ある出会いや小さな成功をきっかけに、
チームの空気が変わってきました。今では軌道に乗り始めています。
この経験を、若手や社内の他部署に“伝えることで何かを残したい”
と思っているのですが、
どこから話せばいいのか、どんな順序で語れば心に届くのかが
わかりません。
経験を通じて伝えるべき“本質”の整理を
手伝ってもらえませんか？In response to this, the following reply was obtained.
To convey the painful experience of launching a new business in a way that resonates with others, it is important not to simply talk about events in chronological order, but to reconstruct them as a single "story."
First, clarify the "essence you want to convey" that you gained through that experience within yourself. Find your own core message, such as "the team atmosphere determines everything," "an encounter in the midst of despair opens a path," or "a small intentional success creates a large swell."
Next, try fitting that essence into a "story archetype" that conveys it most effectively. For example, a V-shaped recovery story that starts from the "depths of despair" where things were most painful, goes through a "turning point" where the situation changed, and leads to "hope" for the future, evokes strong empathy from the listener.
To give depth and reality to the story, self-questioning such as "What was the most painful thing?" or "What were the words that became the turning point?" is essential. The answers to those questions sublimate personal experiences into universal lessons that anyone can perceive as their own.
By going through this process, your valuable experience will change from a mere tale of hardship into a powerful cheer that illuminates the listener's tomorrow.
By the way, this was actually a longer answer, but this is the result of asking it to shorten it because I was going to quote it in a note article ^^;
While reading this answer, wouldn't it accelerate your writing to extract "what you really want to talk about now" as a human being?
Practical AI utilization script based on your inner self
AI is not a "character," butthe moment that text reaches someone's heart, it is participating in the story as a "quiet co-star"—I hope you can understand that feeling a little bit.
And furthermore, I will introduce a script based on your inner self.
Script Example 1: Organizing emotions
今日、人との会話で少しモヤモヤしています。
自分がなぜ引っかかったのか、感情の正体を整理したいので、
いくつかの観点から問いを返してもらえませんか？Script Example 2: Verbalizing questions
自分の中にある“違和感”を問いにしたいんですが、
まだうまく言葉になっていません。
関連しそうなフレーズを出してもらってもいいですか？Script Example 3: Getting a push for action
明日、ある人に大事な話をします。
でも、何をどう伝えればいいか迷っています。
相手の立場と、私の伝えたいことを伝えますので、
共感が届く言葉のパターンをいくつか考えてくれますか？This kind of usage is exactly wherethe true value of generative AI as a "translator of thoughts and emotions"appears.
If everyone starts using this method
Having read this far, some of you might have thought, "If everyone starts doing this, won't it just be conversations between AIs?"
Certainly, using AI to organize thoughts is a means open to anyone. However,what AI provides is "material for thought," not "your personality or judgment."
Ultimately, which words do you choose? Where do you place the emphasis? At what timing do you speak? And, do you even choose to remain silent?
These are, the sum total of your choices as a human being.
In other words, humanity resides in which of the possibilities presented by AI you choose to embrace in a way that is 'uniquely you'.
No matter how much generative AI evolves, there is one thing only humans can do. That is, 'deciding what not to say.' In other words, the power to design white space.
Don't say too much.
Don't over-explain.
Build trust without saying a word.
Within this 'white space', your humanity and your appeal as a leader reside.
Summary
Influence in business is not just about achieving results. Contributing to someone's decision-making, slightly shifting someone's values, being by someone's side when they take their next step, all of these mean 'appearing in a story'.
Generative AI is an entity that prepares you to make your appearance by organizing your thoughts, refining your emotions, and adjusting your words.
AI cannot be the protagonist. However, it can be the lighting or the script editor that makes the characters shine.
And, the carefully chosen words, the silence, the structure—all of these become proof of your 'humanity.'
That is why, even if everyone starts using AI, I can say with certainty that those who can appear in a story, including the reason 'why you asked that question at that moment,' will never be replaced.
You can become someone who appears in another person's story. As one of the tools to achieve that, can't generative AI be used conveniently?
Thank you for reading until the end.
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