“Human in the Room” — How to Develop the Soft Skills You Need for Today’s AI-Driven Workplace
February 27, 2026
As artificial intelligence reshapes the modern workplace, a bigger question looms: where do we fit in? In this week’s episode of the B Student podcast, the mic flips as host Betsy Gardner steps into the guest seat. Recurring guest and now VP at Human in the Room, Addison Cursey acts as host, interviewing Betsy about her new book, Human in the Room.
Fresh off announcing her transition from leading the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce to launching Evermore Advisory, Betsy shares a leadership framework built for an era defined by algorithms, automation, and uncertainty. From why trust is the new currency of leadership to how care, competency, and consistency form its foundation, this conversation explores the “judgment gap” separating humans from machines, the real meaning of managing up, and why so-called soft skills are quickly becoming the ultimate power skills.
Whether you’re climbing into your first leadership role or steering an organization through AI disruption, this episode will challenge how you show up and equip you to lead with trust, presence and judgment.
- Leadership is evolving — and technical expertise isn’t enough anymore. The future belongs to professionals who master care, competency, and consistency — the three pillars of trust.
2. Soft skills aren’t soft - they’re the power skills of the future. That's why presence, nonverbal signals, and judgment matter more than ever.
3. Building trust internally and externally is critical for business, but how do you do it successfully, especially with senior-level leaders? Betsy and Addison dissect how Gen Z, as well as mid-level and senior level leaders, can build trust and elevate judgment and presence.
5. Trust is the new leadership currency.
Betsy breaks down the 3 C’s of trust — care, competency, and consistency — and why good judgment is what separates humans from machines.
From managing up to navigating generational tension, these are practical tools you can apply immediately.
At its core, this episode is a call to action on how to make yourself irreplaceable in the new AI-driven business world. Being the Human in the Room is about exercising judgment, building trust, and leading with presence.
Through practical tools and a clear framework, Human in the Room equips professionals at every level to build credibility, strengthen resilience, and lead with confidence in a rapidly changing world.
Watch the full episode, streaming now, HERE.