Blog – Allison Shapira

Allison Shapira stands at Uhuru Peak, the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, wearing a bright red jacket in front of the summit sign.

Leading When You Can’t See the Summit

When you can’t see the summit, your team doesn’t need you to pretend that you can. Three communication practices can help you acknowledge uncertainty, clarify

Allison Shapira stands in silhouette on a darkened conference stage against illuminated pink panels.

That moment when no one in the room breathes

The best in-person events create a shared energy that people carry with them long after they leave. Here’s how to design a meeting or conference

Before You Even Say a Word: Executive Presence and Believability

Your executive presence starts communicating before you speak. It shapes whether people trust you, pay attention, and believe what you have to say. Here are

Allison Shapira delivering a keynote on authentic communication with the words “WHY YOU?” projected behind her

Two buzzwords we’re not using enough

Intention and alignment matter even more in the age of AI. Both help leaders use AI without losing their authentic voice, core values, or the

Allison Shapira delivering her CPAE Hall of Fame acceptance speech, demonstrating the power of executive storytelling.

What does a lack of leadership storytelling cost you?

What does a lack of storytelling cost you? Leadership storytelling builds trust, increases buy-in, and helps people remember your message. Learn why every leader should

Allison Shapira delivers her acceptance speech after being inducted into the CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame by the National Speakers Association.

A huge milestone — and an acceptance speech

Allison Shapira reflects on her 2026 induction into the CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame and shares the acceptance speech she delivered at the National Speakers

Allison Shapira speaks at a podium after being inducted into the National Speakers Association's CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame at the 2026 annual conference in Austin, Texas.

Allison Shapira Inducted into the National Speakers Association’s CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame

Allison Shapira has been inducted into the National Speakers Association’s CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame, the speaking profession’s highest lifetime achievement honor, recognizing her contributions

Allison Shapira speaking on stage during a keynote presentation.

Keep Your Audience Engaged During Any Presentation

One of the easiest ways to lose an audience is to make them work too hard to follow your thinking. In this article, you’ll learn

Screenshot of a virtual panel on AI Governance: Leading Through Innovation, Risk, and Responsibility featuring Allison Shapira and fellow panelists discussing leadership, AI policy, risk, and governance.

Communication is a Governance Tool

Communication is a governance tool. As organizations create AI policies, leaders must do more than make decisions—they must explain the thinking behind them. Here’s why

Allison Shapira delivering a keynote presentation on leadership communication at a conference.

The words that undermine your credibility

The smallest words in your vocabulary can have the biggest impact on how others perceive your leadership. Learn when hedging language is useful, when minimizers

Leadership communication expert Allison Shapira speaking about trust, credibility, and leadership believability.

The Problem with Believability

At an AI conference earlier this year, I found myself questioning whether I believed a speaker from a Fortune 50 company. During lunch, I discovered

Allison Shapira delivering a keynote presentation to a live audience, demonstrating audience engagement and effective public speaking.

Why You Should Never Use Your Phone for Speaking Notes

Using your phone for speaking notes may be convenient, but it can create an unnecessary barrier between you and your audience. Allison Shapira explains why