I am thrilled to announce that Power Skills Are Not Enough: The 7 Communication Superpowers That AI Cannot Automate by Alan W. Boyer as the September 2026 book choice for Courtney’s Corner Book Club!
As an executive at AT&T, Coca-Cola, Equifax, Three Olympics, and other Fortune 500 brands, Alan Boyer led marketing, communications, and organizational strategy at scale. From corporate leadership to academia, he held several positions that include communications professor at Kennesaw State University, Associate Dean at Atlanta John Marshall Law School, and management professor and curriculum architect at Georgia Gwinnett College, the University of South Florida, and Berry College. He also held the position of Director of Digital Innovation Programs at Kansas State University.
Alan currently serves as Management Faculty in the School of Business at Georgia Gwinnett College. He is also the founder of iThrive Learning Architects, a consulting firm that helps universities and organizations design programs aligned with the future of work.
I highly recommend Power Skills Are Not Enough for its overall educational value, as well as its relevance to readers navigating increasingly complex and technology-driven environments. This book immediately caught my attention when I read the title. While I certainly have read about soft skills, or “power skills,” I became intrigued with Alan’s thought-process as he explains the 7 Communication Superpowers. I appreciated his ability to take communication as a superpower a step further, by offering relevant ways an individual can add even more value in their workplace environments by the possession of these communication superpowers. I will let you read the book to gain insights as to what these superpowers are .
As Alan shares,
“The future of work does not require better skills alone. It requires a new human operating system.”
While traditional soft skills are important to possess, we are entering into a territory where soft skills may not necessarily be enough alongside AI to gain a competitive advantage in the workplace. Alan introduces the reader to the “power skills ceiling,” terminology that explains the point where power skills no longer differentiate performance. He stresses those who have the potential to thrive are those who think with clarity, navigate complexity effectively, and engage responsibly with intelligent systems. Alongside this terminology, I enjoyed Alan’s comprehensive analysis that explains where the ceiling appears in the workplace, as well as a comparative grid that differentiates necessary power skills to actual human capabilities.
I particularly appreciated chapter twelve focusing on how educators play an essential part for capability development for students. Alan offers useful advice that educators can implement allowing for minor, yet high-impact shifts without new curriculum approvals or any type of major redesign. This chapter of the book was particularly relevant to me personally, alongside the practical checklist to reflect upon for implementation when practicing the frameworks.
What really stands out to me, and what I particularly appreciate about Alan’s contribution in this book, is the depth of perspective he offers readers. Drawing on his diverse background in academia, as well as his experience working with large corporations, Alan bridges peer-reviewed research with practical, real-world insights. The combination of his academic and corporate background offers meaningful perspectives that informs educators, students, and professionals alike. I also enjoyed Alan’s ability to offer a practical, yet teachable capability system through his 7 Communication Superpowers. His extensive research to develop a framework alongside practical approaches to implement creates lasting value as innovation continues to accelerate in the workplace and technology transforms how we all work.
Overall, Power Skills Are Not Enough: The 7 Communication Superpowers That AI Cannot Automate by Alan W. Boyer is an essential read for any individual who is seeking to better understand how they can prepare for, as well as thrive in an AI-accelerated workplace. Keep your eyes out for The Future Does Not Follow a Syllabus: Teaching What AI Can’t Automate-In Every Class! Get your copy of Power Skills Are Not Enough: The 7 Communication Superpowers That AI Cannot Automate today on Amazon!