It’s the Surfer, Not the Board: Why Core Skills Beat New Tools

Every week, a new AI tool launches with a promise to change everything. Recently, it’s been a flurry of releases: ChatGPT 5.1, Gemini Pro 3.0, Nano Banana Pro.

We see the headlines. We watch the demos. And we feel a familiar knot of anxiety tighten in our chests.

It is the fear of falling behind. The worry that if we aren't using the latest model, the newest plugin, or the hottest app, we are already obsolete.

But this "tech anxiety" is a distraction.

In a recent conversation with automation expert Mitch Schwartz, we discussed this exact feeling. His advice cut through the noise: stop obsessing over the software.

He used a simple analogy: It’s like surfing.

If you don't know how to read a wave, balance your weight, or pop up at the right moment, it doesn't matter if you have a $500 Costco board or a $5,000 custom shape. You are going to fall.

But if you know how to surf, you can ride anything.

The Trap of the Shiny Object

We often treat AI tools like magic wands. We think the "right" app will instantly solve our workflow problems.

So we jump from ChatGPT to Claude to Gemini to some obscure new writing assistant, hoping one of them will finally “get it.”

This is a mistake.

When we constantly switch tools, we never learn how to actually communicate. We get stuck in a loop of setting up accounts, learning interfaces, and getting mediocre results.

The tool is just the board.

The real skill is communication.

Master the Conversation, Not the Interface

AI models are built on natural language. They don't need complex code; they need clear instructions.

The core skills that make you good at using AI are the same skills that make you a good leader, a good manager, or a good editor.

Instead of memorizing "prompt hacks," focus on the principles of good delegation:

1. Clarity of Intent (The Brief)

You cannot get a good output from a vague request. You need to define the goal clearly.

Think about how you delegate to a human team member.

If you tell a junior marketer, "Go write a post about our new feature," you’ll likely get back something generic that misses the mark. You didn't give them a chance to succeed.

But if you say: "I need a LinkedIn post about our new feature. It's for CTOs who are worried about security. Keep it punchy, under 200 words, and focus on the 'peace of mind' angle, not just the tech specs."

Now, they have a target. They know the audience, the tone, and the goal.

Speaking to AI works exactly the same way. It’s not about "prompt engineering"; it’s about briefing. The clearer your brief, the better the work.

2. Contextual Awareness (The Background)

AI doesn't know what you know. You have to teach it.

Treat your AI interactions like onboarding a new, highly capable employee. You wouldn't expect a new hire to know your brand voice on day one without a style guide. Why expect it from software?

• Feed the model: Create a "Master Prompt" or a "New Hire Packet." This is simply a saved document (text file or Google Doc) containing your core brand DNA: your mission, voice and tone guidelines, ideal customer profile (ICP), and key product details.
• The workflow: Paste this entire packet at the start of every new chat session to instantly "onboard" the AI. It stops guessing and starts aligning with your actual strategy immediately.

3. Iterative Refinement (The Feedback)

The first draft is rarely perfect. That isn't a failure of the tool; it's part of the process.

Good leaders know how to give constructive feedback. They don't just say "this is wrong." They say, "this tone is too formal, let's make it punchier." Or, "you missed the key point about pricing, try again."

• The skill: Knowing how to critique and guide. Don't just accept the first answer.
• The outcome: You guide the model from a generic response to a specific, valuable insight.

Pick One Board and Ride It

If you feel overwhelmed by the pace of change, here is my advice: Stop looking.

Pick one tool—whether it’s the free version of ChatGPT, the Gemini built into your Google Docs, or whatever you have access to right now.

Commit to mastering it.

Learn its quirks. Figure out how to phrase your requests to get the best answers. Build your own library of "new hire" documents to train it on your business.

Once you build those muscles—the ability to brief, guide, and refine—you can take them anywhere.

When the next big tool launches next month, you won't feel anxious. You’ll just grab your new board and paddle out.

Because you already know how to surf.

Final Thoughts

The tools we use will always change. Next year, there will be a new model, a faster interface, or a smarter assistant. If you tie your success to a specific piece of software, you will always be playing catch-up.

But if you focus on the craft of communication, on clarity, context, and feedback, you build a skill set that is platform-agnostic. You stop being a passenger on the wave and start becoming the surfer.

So, close the ten tabs of "must-have" AI tools. Pick one. Learn it deeply. And remember: the magic isn't in the machine. It's in you.