Your leadership voice in 2026 is more important—and more influential—than ever. As AI reshapes the way we communicate, lead, and make decisions, this year offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to redefine how you show up as a leader. Without a historical playbook to follow, you’re empowered to decide what gets automated, where your judgment is irreplaceable, and how you build trust in a rapidly evolving world.
Have you ever started a new job that had just been created, with no prior playbook to follow?
That’s essentially your job in 2026—because the tools you use are fundamentally changing, from the way you communicate to the way you lead.
This shift provides an incredible opportunity to redefine what your work looks like and make intentional choices about how you want to show up, where you focus, and what you delegate.
In 2026, you get to determine:
- When tasks are better suited for automation
- When human review and judgment are essential
- How you maintain human connection and trust in the workplace
No one has the definitive answers—yet—because we have never been here before (at least in our lifetime).
Is it overwhelming? Certainly.
Is it exciting? Absolutely.
And with that opportunity comes great leadership responsibility: to manage this transition for our teams and help them navigate uncertainty while discovering new possibilities.
Learning from Global Leaders
That’s why I’m headed to Davos, Switzerland later this month to attend events surrounding the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting. These conversations bring together leaders grappling with the same questions you’re facing, offering insights into how organizations worldwide are charting this new territory and what kind of global collaboration we need.
Each of us has a role to play in creating the future we’d like to see. I’m going to both raise awareness of critical issues I researched in my new book, AI for the Authentic Leader, and to learn from others who hold pieces of the global puzzle we’re now assembling.
Your First Steps
This week, take a fresh look at your role:
- What tasks drain your energy without adding strategic value?
- Which of these could AI handle, freeing you for higher-impact work?
- What could your team accomplish, if they were freed from tasks that drain their energy?
- Where is your human insight, judgment, or connection irreplaceable?
- What is your authentic voice, and how can AI help you ensure you consistently demonstrate that voice?
Your leadership voice in 2026
This year, I’m working with leadership teams to develop what I call Authentic Voice Intelligence (AVI)™—ensuring their AI use amplifies rather than replaces their unique leadership voice.
If you’re planning leadership conferences or executive offsites in 2026 and want to explore these questions with your team, let’s talk about how I can help your leaders navigate this transformation with confidence. Use this form to get in touch, and we’ll schedule a call.
Until next week,
~ Allison
The Leadership Skill that Matters More than Certainty
As we navigate 2026 with new tools and evolving responsibilities, clarity is a cornerstone of your leadership voice. One of my favorite reminders comes from Futurist Dr. Bob Johansen: “The future will punish certainty, and reward clarity.”
In this short clip from The Tech Leader’s Playbook (with Avetis Antaplyan), I explain why clarity—not having all the answers—is the skill that will help you lead through complexity, build trust, and set a clear direction for your team.