You’re In! Welcome to Human Skills Edition.
Hey — Girvin here. Thanks for subscribing.
You signed up through our landing page or got a recommendation. Either way, you’re in good company.
If you’re here to…
Sharpen your soft skills
(aka human skills—though they should be called power skills)Learn to thrive alongside AI
Increase your influence & impact
Ignite creative thinking & innovation
Reduce overwhelm & decision fatigue
Grow your network & authority
Monetize your expertise
…then you’re in the right place.
[If not, you can unsubscribe here; no hard feelings]
Why Human Skills Matter More Than Ever
With over two decades at the crossroads of policy, research, and strategy, I’ve learned:
Most of what we want to do at work and in life relies on our ability to think clearly, communicate persuasively, and interact well with others.
In essence, soft skills.
Soft skills, often referred to as interpersonal or social skills, encompass a wide range of non-technical abilities that complement your hard skills or technical expertise. They include everything from self-awareness and time management to communication and leadership.
But here’s the issue: most people struggle to develop and apply these skills consistently. They may even dismiss them as less important —or assume they’ll improve naturally over time.
And, with the rise of AI and automation, soft skills are no longer “nice-to-have”—they’re what make you irreplaceably valuable.
In writing Fired Up! A Guide to Transforming Your Team from Burnout to Engagement, I saw it clearly: soft skills like persuasive communication, emotional intelligence, and creative problem-solving are the difference between being heard and being ignored.
Do Me a Quick Favor Before We Begin!
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Also, hit reply and send me a quick “yes.” It tells Google (and other email providers) that you want to keep hearing from me.
But there is an important subtle point to be made…
It’s not about competing with technological advancements like AI—it's about leveraging our uniquely human capabilities along with technological advancements to lead, inspire, and make a lasting impact.
Here's what to expect from the newsletter
Every Monday, I’ll send you a short, actionable email to help you:
Sharpen the soft skills that make your expertise more valuable
Communicate your ideas clearly, creatively, and persuasively
Build trust and visibility with the people who matter
And when you’re ready… turn your influence into real opportunities
Think of it as your nudge to master the art of being irreplaceably human.
Sometimes a nudge is all we need.
Here’s the format:
A Simple Idea – One way to improve a key soft skill like persuasion, storytelling, or decision-making
Something You Can Use – A tool, strategy, or framework you can apply immediately
A Few Great Links – Curated articles, videos, or tools worth your time (no fluff)
And as you grow, I’ll introduce ways to go deeper.
No noise. No fluff. Just helpful stuff that makes you better, faster.
A Few Quick Welcome Emails, Too
You’ll also get a few short emails from me this week with extra tips, a quick question to help me learn more about you, and some bonus tools to get started.
This Isn’t Just a Newsletter—It’s a Journey
Think of Human Skills Edition as your starting point.
You’re not just here to read about soft skills—you’re here to use them to build something:
→ A message that’s clear, memorable, and persuasive
→ A reputation that earns trust
→ A business, platform, or voice that actually makes an impact
That’s what we’re building—one Monday at a time.
POLL
To Get the Most Out of This…
Check your inbox each Monday
Move this email to your “Primary” or VIP folder
Explore these editions to get a feel for what’s ahead:
* * *
Got a specific goal or challenge in mind? Just hit reply and let me know! I try to answer every message that hits my inbox.
Catch you in your inbox Monday.
Be easy,
- Girvin
SAMPLE EDITIONS
Check out the following editions to get a feel for what’s to come:
Ready to sharpen your soft skills even more? Get Blinkist for quick, powerful insights from top non-fiction books and podcasts.
Discover the best articles on the topics that matter to you—without the noise. Start building your personal library of insights in minutes.
FAVORITE TOOLS
Here’s one of the best tools for getting an earful of soft skills development…
Amazon Audible: It's my go-to when on the go.
Why? It's amazing for brushing up on human skills—think leadership, communication, empathy, and more.
Perfect for: Anyone looking to understand people better or just aiming to get ahead.
The best part: It fits seamlessly into life's in-between moments.
I've found it super useful, especially because:
The insights are genuinely helpful.
It’s incredibly convenient.
Plus, it’s easy to use and budget-friendly.
Curious?
Get a 30-day free trial when you join through this special link:
