New Book 'Lift' Advocates for Human-Focused Mentorship in the AI Era

Leadership strategist Amy Summers outlines a framework for integrating relationship-based leadership into modern organizations.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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In her new book 'Lift: 10 Mentorship Touchpoints to Empower Your Team and Accelerate Your Career,' leadership strategist Amy Summers argues that human-focused mentorship is essential as artificial intelligence and automation reshape the modern workplace. Summers introduces a practical framework for leaders to build consistent, intentional connections with their teams, positioning mentorship as a natural part of their leadership style.

Why it matters

As entry-level roles have narrowed, remote work has reduced proximity, and learning increasingly flows through digital dashboards, early career development and leadership modeling have not kept pace with productivity gains. Summers' work aims to help bridge gaps between academic preparation, early career experience, and leadership readiness.

The details

Summers' book presents 10 mentorship touchpoints designed to fit into existing workflows, allowing leaders to practice mentorship as part of their regular leadership style. The framework is grounded in Summers' experience launching and advising early-career professionals, as well as insights from her podcast and mentorship sessions. The book defines mentorship as a shared commitment to potential, trust and professional growth that benefits both mentor and mentee.

  • The book 'Lift: 10 Mentorship Touchpoints to Empower Your Team and Accelerate Your Career' was released on February 25, 2026.

The players

Amy Summers

A leadership strategist and the founder of the virtual mentorship platform INICIVOX.

INICIVOX

A virtual mentorship platform founded by Amy Summers.

Pitch Publicity

A public relations agency where Summers has launched and advised more than 50 early-career professionals.

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What they’re saying

“Technology can streamline tasks, but it cannot replace the learning that happens in human relationships. Careers accelerate when someone takes time to offer context, perspective and real-time feedback. And organizations perform better when that kind of leadership is practiced consistently across teams.”

— Amy Summers, Founder, INICIVOX (businessinsider.com)

“We need human touchpoints throughout our careers. Not just at the beginning, and not only during performance reviews. Consistent, human-focused mentorship helps people build confidence, resilience, and communication skills that cannot be replicated by technology.”

— Amy Summers, Founder, INICIVOX (businessinsider.com)

What’s next

Summers is available for media interviews and speaking engagements on mentorship, leadership development, and human-centered workplace communication.

The takeaway

As AI and automation reshape the modern workplace, this book presents a framework for leaders to integrate human-focused mentorship into their everyday interactions, helping to bridge gaps in early career development and leadership readiness.