ChatGPT Made Me a Better Communicator (Without Any Dedicated Practice Sessions)

An Unusual Use Case of ChatGPT No One Talks About

Ever felt frustrated when your teammates just don’t get what you’re saying? I’ve been there.

Early in my career as a software developer, I was eager to impress. We had a big presentation coming up, and I saw my chance. I prepared a deep dive into every technical detail—code snippets, edge cases, the works.

When the moment came, I unloaded everything. I thought I was nailing it. Then I looked around. Blank stares. Polite nods. Not a single question. I’d lost them completely.

That moment hit hard. I realized communication isn’t about saying everything—it’s about saying what actually matters to the listener. Instead of giving my audience what they needed, I buried them in details they didn’t.

I knew I had to get better. Years later, I found an unexpected tool that helped: ChatGPT, an AI that responds to your prompts and can assist with everything from writing to problem-solving. No seminars, no practice drills—just everyday use that sharpened my skills naturally.

Tailoring My Message to the Audience

That failed presentation taught me a hard lesson: communication is about the listener. I can’t control how others hear me, but I can control how I explain things.

For developers, I could talk about the deep technical roots of a bug. For managers, I had to cut to the chase: “This will delay us by two days unless we fix it.” Same issue, different framing.

Back then, I assumed more detail meant more clarity. But when my seniors’ eyes glazed over, I realized I’d misread what they needed. They weren’t there for a code walkthrough—they wanted the key takeaway. That shift in mindset changed everything.

How ChatGPT Helped Me Get Better

Fast forward to today, and ChatGPT has been the best tool I never meant to use for improving my communication—without ever setting aside time to practice.

You might be using it to draft emails or brainstorm ideas, but here’s something I realized: every interaction with ChatGPT is a chance to practice explaining things clearly, like you would with a friend.

One time, I needed to draft an email to a colleague about a project delay. I typed, “Write an email about the project being delayed.” ChatGPT spit out:

“Dear [Name], I regret to inform you that the project will be delayed. We apologize for any inconvenience.”

Lame. It was so generic it could’ve been a robot apology from a sci-fi movie—oh wait, it kind of was.

At first, ChatGPT’s stiff, lifeless responses annoyed me. Like it was a stubborn coworker who just wouldn’t listen. But then it hit me: it’s a machine. It’s not going to argue back or sulk. It’s just waiting for me to ask a better question.

So I did.

I reworded my prompt: “The delay is due to unexpected technical issues, and we need an extra week. Include a brief explanation and an apology.”

Better, but still too stiff. I refined it again: “Make it professional but empathetic, and say we’re working hard to fix it.”

Finally, I got something decent:

“Hi [Name], I’m really sorry, but we’ve hit some unexpected technical snags and need an extra week. We’re working hard to fix it—thanks for bearing with us.”

That felt right.

And that back-and-forth? It wasn’t just about fixing an email. It was practice. I was training myself to communicate more clearly and with more empathy. Instead of blaming ChatGPT for bad responses, I had to look at my own words and think, “How can I say this better?”

Over time, that habit stuck. In real conversations, I stopped assuming confusion was the other person’s fault. If my teammate didn’t get what I meant, maybe I didn’t give enough context. Maybe I needed to rephrase.

That’s made me a better communicator. And a better listener, too.

Improving Without Extra Effort

Picture how a kid learns their first language. No grammar drills. No flashcards. Just listening, talking, and soaking in conversations around them. Day by day, they get fluent without even trying.

Now, compare that to learning a second language. Structured lessons. Verb conjugations. Vocabulary tests. You might get good—maybe even great—but it never feels as natural as the language you picked up effortlessly.

That difference doesn’t just apply to languages. It’s how most skills work, including communication. You could take a public speaking course or study conversation techniques, but that’s the second-language approach—deliberate, structured, and a bit of a grind. Or you could improve the way a kid learns to talk: naturally, through real-life moments.

That’s what makes ChatGPT useful. It’s not a training program. It’s just there—ready whenever you need it. Every time you use it—whether to sort out a thought, rework a message, or brainstorm ideas—you’re practicing communication in a low-effort, no-pressure way.

No practice schedule. No homework. It just happens. You rephrase a confusing question, sharpen a fuzzy idea, or tweak your tone to sound more natural. Bit by bit, you get better without even noticing.

In my personal life, I often dive into military history. For example, I might ask ChatGPT: “Why was World War I characterized by static warfare while World War II saw more mobile warfare?” If the initial response feels too vague, I don’t stress. I just refine my question—perhaps, “What specific innovations in World War II enabled mobile warfare?” or “How did these innovations change battlefield dynamics?” It’s like having a patient friend who lets me try again until I get it. Each time I rephrase, I’m practicing how to ask better questions and make complex topics clearer.

I also use it to simplify jargon for non-technical teammates or brainstorm talking points for meetings. Over time, that habit sticks. When a coworker doesn’t get my point, I don’t get frustrated—I just find a better way to say it. Not because I took a seminar, but because I’ve been practicing in small ways every day.

Using ChatGPT is like learning to talk all over again—the natural way, by messing around and figuring it out as you go. No effort required.

Why This Matters And Why You Should Try It

Good communication isn’t optional. It’s the difference between a team that clicks and one that’s always tripping over itself.

Back in my rookie days, I could’ve pointed fingers at my colleagues for “not getting it.” But that wouldn’t have fixed anything. Owning how I explain things? That’s what made the difference.

ChatGPT gave me a no-pressure way to practice. If it doesn’t understand, I tweak my words and try again— instant feedback, no drama. It’s taught me to stay calm, think from the other side, and keep refining until it clicks.

So next time ChatGPT gives you a cringe response, don’t groan. Take it as a nudge to sharpen your message. You’ll be amazed how it carries over to your teammates.