Library › Writing AI › Managers and team leads
Explain a team member's bonus with one line of math
Practice: Showing an example of what you want. About 5 minutes.
About this exercise
A team member asked how her bonus was calculated. Explain it in under 70 words, plain text. The first sentence gives her bonus amount, then show the math on its own line, then explain in one sentence what each multiplier means using the corrected company figure. No jargon ('payout curve', 'attainment', 'accelerator', 'modifier'). Write a prompt that gets that.
Common mistakes when you ask AI for this
- Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for "under 70 words" and it often lands well over. Try: Cap each part: "2 sentences under 18 words plus one math line."
- Explaining before answering. AI replies explain bonus philosophy before giving her number. Try: Say it: "Sentence 1: your bonus is $4,620, paid Dec 15."
- Using the all-hands number. The notes mention the 88% that was corrected. Try: Add: "Math line: $5,000 x 0.84 x 1.10 = $4,620."
- Comp jargon. AI says "company attainment modifier", which explains nothing. Try: Add: "Say 84% is how the company did and 110% is how you did. No attainment or modifier. Plain text."
What a strong prompt includes
- Sets a word limit
- Leads with the amount
- Shows the math
- Uses the corrected figure
- Bans jargon
Related exercises
- Accept a job offer and confirm the exact terms (Writing AI · Job seekers)
- Announce a hybrid work policy change with clear actions (Writing AI · HR and recruiting)
- Announce a promotion with the right date and no pay details (Writing AI · HR and recruiting)
- Announce a team change and answer the first question (Writing AI · Managers and team leads)
- Announce a team meeting change people will actually follow (Writing AI · Managers and team leads)