Powerskills 2026 Focuses on Learning Soft Skills

Your story, your brand, your future with keynote from author and CEO of StoryBrand and Business Made Simple Donald Miller

From sharing leadership insights to answering important questions — like which side does your name tag go on? (Answer: the right.)  — the Jack C. Massey College of Business successfully hosted its third annual Powerskills Conference, canceling classes to focus on soft-skill development. 

“Make sure you get as much as you can out of today,” said Dr. Randy Bradley, Massey dean. “Today is not about what you have to do, it's about what you get to do. Lean in, be inquisitive and ask yourself, ‘how can I apply this to my life moving forward?’”  

Why Powerskills Matters 

The workplace doesn't stand still, and neither do the expectations employers have for new hires. Technical knowledge matters, but communication, ethical judgment and leadership are what set graduates apart. 

The Powerskills Conference is an isolated expression of Massey’s programmatic commitment to student readiness. All Massey students, regardless of major, begin with the Business Core – a suite of classes geared to introduce foundational business disciplines including ethics, management, finance and business systems. That common foundation is then strengthened through discipline-specific coursework, electives and Business Tool courses focused on the entrepreneurial mindset and career and professional development and other essential tools students will need in their professional lives. Powerskills extends that learning beyond the classroom with a one-day conference designed to put those concepts into action. 

Rather than treating soft skills as secondary, Powerskills places them front and center — creating space for students to practice professional presence, refine how they communicate their value and engage directly with employers and leaders across industries.  

Soundbites for Effective Communication 

The conference opened with a keynote from Donald Miller, bestselling author and CEO of StoryBrand, Business Made Simple and Coach Builder. 

Drawing from his book Building a StoryBrand 2.0: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen, Miller challenged students to rethink how they communicate — not just as professionals, but as people. 

“People will give you one slot in their brain. Use it wisely,” Miller cautioned. “Story is the most powerful tool known to man to compel a human brain.” 

Miller introduced the idea of “zero cognitive load” — communication that is so clear and focused it doesn’t force the audience to work to understand the message. Through case studies and storytelling, he emphasized that effective communication positions the audience as the hero and offers a clear solution to their problem. 

“Soundbites are the solution,” Miller said. “If you want to accomplish anything, you need a soundbite strategy. Brands that that don't make people think tend to win.” 

The first 200 participants received a free copy of Miller’s book, and Miller stayed on campus for the first round of breakout sessions, giving students the chance to engage more deeply through a Q&A. 

Breakout Sessions: Putting Learning to Work 

From leadership and finance to networking and professional presence, breakout sessions gave students the chance to engage directly with industry professionals and walk away with skills they could use immediately. 

Leadership as a Learned Skill 

Covering topics including leadership, networking, communication, finance and professional presence, students rotated through breakout sessions designed to be highly interactive and immediately applicable.  

A breakout session with the College of Business Dean explored leadership not as a title, but as a daily practice shaped by character and consistency. 

“Leadership is not something you inherit,” Bradley said. “Leadership is something you train. It’s a muscle you develop over and over and over. And much of it comes from the times when you were wrong.” 

Networking With Intention 

Effective networking is an essential skill for any business professional. In many cases, opportunities open not only because of what you know, but who you know. Massey introduces the importance of networking early in students’ academic journeys, and the Powerskills Conference offered multiple opportunities for practicing and strengthening those skills. 

During an interactive networking session led by Jill Robinson, assistant dean of external relations, students learned how small details like where to place a name tag or how to start a conversation can significantly influence confidence and comfort in professional interactions. 

“The goal of networking is to make the other person feel comfortable in your presence,” Robinson explained as she guided students through strategies for introductions, asking thoughtful follow-up questions and building meaningful context in conversations. 

Students also participated in career coaching and networking sessions with local employers, gaining firsthand experience connecting with professionals in real-world settings. 

Preparing Students for What’s Next 

By the end of the day, Powerskills 2026 offered students far more than a pause from regular classes. It provided a space to connect classroom learning to real-world expectations and to practice the skills that will shape how they show up in interviews, meetings, teams and leadership roles. 

From employer-led lunch discussions to one-on-one career coaching and open networking sessions, the conference reinforced Massey’s belief that preparation for the working world is not an add-on — it is central to the student experience.