A framework for working smarter with AI tools
75% of people are now using AI tools at work. But 70% of organisations struggle to equip their people with the skills to use them well. Most advice about using AI focuses on tools and prompts - without addressing the real question: what are you actually trying to get done?
The Four Modes framework closes that gap. It breaks thinking into: Compression, when you're overwhelmed and need clarity. Expansion, when you're stuck and need options. Reflection, when you need to stress-test your own reasoning. And Execution, when the thinking is done and you need it produced. Each mode calls for something different.
This framework emerged from hundreds of real conversations - people asking what to use AI tools for, getting stuck, or wondering why their results felt generic.
The scenarios here show you what that looks like in practice - with principles, prompts, and examples you can make your own.
The four modes
Click any mode to explore its scenarios