From Opera to Leadership Communication

Allison explains how her opera background shaped skills but required unlearning perfection to advise leaders authentically.

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Episode notes

In this episode of The Tech Leader's Playbook, Avetis Antaplyan sits down with Allison Shapira, a Harvard faculty member, global keynote speaker, former opera singer turned communication expert, and author of AI for the Authentic Leader. Together, they explore what it truly means to lead with authenticity, clarity, and energy in an era shaped by artificial intelligence and constant uncertainty.

Allison shares her journey from the world of opera to advising executives, founders, and government leaders under intense pressure. She breaks down why perfection is the enemy of progress, how clarity now matters more than certainty, and why leaders must shift from having all the answers to guiding through uncertainty with confidence.

The conversation dives deep into the role AI plays in leadership communication. Rather than replacing authenticity, Allison argues AI can actually strengthen it when used in alignment with personal values. She also issues a powerful warning about the rise of “superhuman persuasion” and why transparency and ethical boundaries are essential.

From creating psychological safety in high-stakes environments to navigating vulnerability at the executive level, this episode delivers a masterclass in modern leadership communication. It is an essential listen for tech leaders, founders, and executives navigating the future of work.

Takeaways

The future of leadership will reward clarity over certainty as change accelerates.
Perfection blocks connection; authentic imperfection builds trust.
Leaders must move beyond rehearsed talking points and speak from genuine belief.
Asking “Why you?” unlocks deeper purpose and more powerful communication.
Public speaking is any moment with one or more people, not just stages.
Psychological safety starts when leaders model vulnerability first.
AI can either outsource your voice or amplify your best self depending on how it is used.
True authenticity means acting in alignment with your values, not avoiding tools.
Sending AI tools into meetings may create a “Big Brother” effect that limits openness.
AI is becoming more persuasive than humans, which raises ethical risks.
The ACE Model (Authenticity, Clarity, Energy) is the foundation of effective leadership communication.
Pausing between meetings and resetting emotional energy is a leadership skill, not a luxury.

Chapters

00:00 The Future of Leadership, AI, and Authenticity

02:00 From Opera Singer to Leadership Communication Expert

04:30 Why Perfection Holds Leaders Back

06:50 The “Why You” Framework for Powerful Messaging

08:30 Communication Breakdowns in High-Pressure Environments

10:20 Clarity Over Certainty in Modern Leadership

14:10 Creating Psychological Safety at the Top

18:30 Career Epiphany and Walking Away from Prestige

24:00 Can AI Make Leaders More Authentic?

30:00 Should Leaders Send AI to Meetings?

35:00 Why AI Won’t Actually Give You More Free Time