3 principles for productivity with M365 Copilot
As I prepare for running my Microsoft 365 Copilot Essentials workshop, I want to share some thoughts about topics. I will try and embed 3 principles for using Microsoft 365 Copilot. Watch or listen to this first episode of the MWM Podcast. The short version of the principles are below.
Principle 1 - You prompt Copilot. Copilot prompts you.
When using M365 Copilot Chat, we start a chat and the instructions or questions you ask are called prompts. Copilot will respond using your instructions using the information sources available.
You will be surprised at how quickly and coherently Copilot responds. After a quick glance, Copilot's response reads well and you may think you can simply copy and use the response without changing a thing.
But Copilot's response is a prompt back to you. It is a starting point to write using your own words, adding your own ideas, your tone and voice.
Principle 2 - Check all things
Read the response Copilot gives you. Does it make sense? Did it provide references to it's sources? The facts need to be fact checked. Follow the references to the source and read them in context. Copilot's response will sound confident. But sometimes it makes things up. Sometimes the sources it is using are not correct too. Remember, Copilot is using search engines and sources to bring the results together. Copilot doesn't yet reason. It doesn't use critical thinking to determine if the response it gives you is correct. This is your responsibility.
Principle 3 - It's a conversation
When you talk with someone and ask them for help, that's just the starting point. Often, you need to talk back and forth in a conversation to ensure the other person knows what you mean. They ask you questions about things they don't understand in your instructions. You might not be aware of options and multiple directions that the conversation could go. But this will be revealed in the conversation.
It is the same when having a conversation with Copilot. Your first post might not have enough context. Maybe you didn't recommend the sources to look for information, or give examples of what you are looking for. So Copilot's first response will likely miss your expectations. But don't stop there. Provide more detail. Narrow down the choices. Give examples. You can even ask Copilot to ask you questions till it is clear on what you want, before responding.
Just like with our team members at work, as we get to know each other, we learn how talk with each other to quickly get to a shared understanding. It is the same with how we use Copilot. Soon, Copilot will build a memory of how it should respond to you too.
I recently learned a great tip during Digital Workplace Conference NZ (March 2025) from Meg Smith. She suggested finishing your prompt by asking Copilot to ask you questions to get more context till it was 80% sure it could give a good response. Try it! See how it helps your conversation with Copilot.
If you are interested to learn more about Microsoft 365 Copilot, take a look at my live instructor-led workshop “Microsoft 365 Copilot Essentials” and what it covers.
