How to Make Small Talk That Doesn’t Feel Forced
Small talk feels forced when we treat it as a performance. Leadership communication speaker Allison Shapira shares five steps to make small talk feel natural,
Looking for a subject matter expert, keynote speaker or podcast guest? Trust the expert that The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, and World Economic Forum turn to.
She studies the art and science of believability in the age of AI — why some leaders are believed and others aren’t, and what closes that gap.
Her expertise has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, The New York Times, and other leading outlets, making her a trusted voice on authentic leadership, public speaking, AI, and the future of communication.
In 2026, she was inducted into the CPAE® Speaker Hall of Fame by the National Speakers Association, joining the top 1% of speakers worldwide.
She writes regularly for the Harvard Business Review and World Economic Forum.
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How You Communicate is How You Lead
What if AI Could Make You More Human?
How Allison Found Her Voice
Small talk feels forced when we treat it as a performance. Leadership communication speaker Allison Shapira shares five steps to make small talk feel natural,
Cost of believability may sound abstract until leaders describe what happens when people stop believing them. In a recent executive roundtable, leaders shared that disbelief
Poor communication already wastes time, money, and morale. As AI agents enter the workplace, unclear instructions will scale those costs faster than leaders expect.
Real-time feedback to help leaders Speak With Impact™