Speak by Design

Executive presence isn’t a title. It’s a set of behaviors.

In Day 2 of the 12 Days of Readiness series, Stephanie Bickel breaks down what it truly means to show up with clarity, credibility, and calm authority in 2026’s highest-stakes rooms.

We cover:

• The four behaviors that instantly elevate senior presence

• Why stillness, posture, and gesture drive trust

• How facial expression and eye contact project confidence

• What to remove from your language to sound more senior

• How to tell stories that influence decisions and move people forward

Let 2026 be the year you communicate with more poise, power, and intention.

Enrollment for Speak by Design University 2026 opens December 1st. speakbydesign.com/join

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Lead your 2026 like it matters.

This Day 1 episode of the 12 Days of Readiness series is your reset: we focus on the one thing that separates exceptional leaders from everyone else—habits.

In this short, powerful lesson, Stephanie walks you through how great leaders think, plan, and move so that 2026 becomes a year of clarity, confidence, and real momentum.

You’ll learn:

• Why leadership begins with a point of view, not a job title

• How mission, vision, and values create clarity for your entire team

• The four sources of strong decision-making

• A simple lens for choosing the right type of solution

• How great leaders set goals that motivate people all year long

If you want to show up in 2026 as a more decisive, intentional, and trusted leader, start with the habits that quietly shape everything else.

Registration for Speak by Design University 2026 opens December 1. Want to be first in line? Join the waitlist at www.speakbydesign.com/join.

This isn’t a "check the box" program. It’s a new category of development: a full leadership communication system that combines tailored private coaching, a cohort at your level, and our 12 signature trainings on demand.

You won’t just “take a course.” You’ll build a living portfolio of messages, stories, and strategies that change how you lead every day in 2026.

There’s nothing else like it, because we built it with our clients to replace the one-off workshops and disconnected trainings that just don’t move the needle anymore.

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What happens after the conflict is often more damaging than the conflict itself. Most of us retreat, replay the moment endlessly, or vent to the wrong people—quietly eroding trust and making repair feel impossible. In this episode, you’ll learn how to bounce back stronger with simple mindset shifts, powerful self-talk, and a heart-to-heart approach that restores confidence and connection. Tune in to build real resilience for the toughest conversations at work.

How you speak is how you lead. Want to study this with other leaders? Take a look at www.speakbydesign.com/join. That's our leadership communication program that includes private, group, and self-paced learning for every learning style.

🔗 Links:

Start your coaching journey: https://speakbydesignuniversity.com/join
Chicago Leadership Day (July 15): https://speakbydesignuniversity.com/se2026
Get Speak by Design Certified: https://speakbydesignuniversity.com/certification

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

When the disagreement happens, how do you show up? Are you frowning? Raising your voice? Or cowering?

The difference between leaders who crumble and those who command calm isn’t temperament. It’s a practiced mindset. Conflict doesn’t have to drain you; it can define you. The most influential leaders turn tense moments into turning points. In this lesson, we explore how to rise above the heat and handle disagreement with ease. You’ll walk away thinking differently about conflict and maybe even proud when people disagree with you.

Join Speak by Design University when you are ready for your next level: speakbydesignuniversity.com/join

🔗 Links:

Start your coaching journey: https://speakbydesignuniversity.com/join
Chicago Leadership Day (July 15): https://speakbydesignuniversity.com/se2026
Get Speak by Design Certified: https://speakbydesignuniversity.com/certification

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

We just hosted Sharpen and Elevate 2025. Save the date for 2026: July 15th in Chicago

Stephanie is sharing how she kicked off the day with a focus on how to live into your future self.

You cannot be it if you cannot see it.

Confidence and clarity are the 2 best predictors of leadership advancement.

Your self image may be making it impossible to improve your communication skills.

Confusion is killing our productivity and business growth.

***

Schedule a call: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/278468f8/appointment/60626897/calendar/any?appointmentTypeIds[]=60626897

How you speak is how you lead. Want to study this with other leaders? Take a look at www.speakbydesign.com/join. That's our leadership communication program that includes private, group, and self-paced learning for every learning style. If you register by December 31st, you will receive the full Anniversary plan in its entirety and the discounts.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

How do great leaders create lasting communication habits? If you have followed all 50 lessons you are now wondering, "How do I take what I've learned and turn it into lasting change?"

Start with believing the change is possible and then build your desire for change. Want to deliver clearer updates, craft more compelling stories, and exude confidence every time you speak. You’ll learn the proven steps to developing new communication habits—starting today—and hear inspiring stories of how others have elevated their skills.

While this is the end of the lesson series; it’s the beginning of your practicum. Now, practice is required to create those new habits.

***

How you speak is how you lead. Want to study this with other leaders? Take a look at www.speakbydesign.com/join. That's our leadership communication program that includes private, group, and self-paced learning for every learning style. If you register by December 31st, you will receive the full Anniversary plan in its entirety and the discounts.

🔗 Links:

Start your coaching journey: https://speakbydesignuniversity.com/join
Chicago Leadership Day (July 15): https://speakbydesignuniversity.com/se2026
Get Speak by Design Certified: https://speakbydesignuniversity.com/certification

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

How do you define a great coach? Is it someone who simply listens, or someone who motivates, guides, and teaches with clarity? In this lesson, we unpack the art of coaching—an essential skill for everyone, regardless of their role. Whether you're managing a team, working across departments, or guiding a peer, coaching is your chance to inspire growth and impact at every level.

Join us as we explore the five pivotal coaching moments in professional relationships. From establishing rapport to setting growth expectations, providing actionable feedback, and mastering the art of listening during vulnerable moments, this episode is packed with practical strategies to elevate your coaching game. Learn how to transform your feedback into motivation, avoid common pitfalls, and design the future you want for yourself and those around you.

Don’t miss this dynamic conversation—it’s time to coach with clarity and compassion.

***

How you speak is how you lead. Want to study this with other leaders? Take a look at www.speakbydesign.com/join. That's our leadership communication program that includes private, group, and self-paced learning for every learning style.

🔗 Links:

Start your coaching journey: https://speakbydesignuniversity.com/join
Chicago Leadership Day (July 15): https://speakbydesignuniversity.com/se2026
Get Speak by Design Certified: https://speakbydesignuniversity.com/certification

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Did you know the best coach you'll ever have is already with you—every moment of every day? It’s you. We’ll show you how to master the art of self-coaching, turning that critical inner voice into your greatest cheerleader.

Through real-world scenarios and actionable strategies, we dive into what it means to truly coach yourself. Learn how to replace self-doubt with confidence, move past mistakes with resilience, and develop the kind of nurturing inner dialogue that fuels growth. We’ll guide you through five transformative steps to quiet self-criticism, focus on progress, and unlock a stronger, more self-assured version of you.

This is your moment to take control of your mindset and embrace the powerful leader within. Don’t miss this empowering episode—it’s time to become your own greatest coach.

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**This is the last month to take advantage of the Anniversary Year discounts for Speak by Design University. We've designed an amazing array of lessons and trainings to grow your leadership communication skills.

Take a look at www.speakbydesign.com/join. That's our leadership communication program that includes private, group, and self-paced learning for every learning style.

🔗 Links:

Start your coaching journey: https://speakbydesignuniversity.com/join
Chicago Leadership Day (July 15): https://speakbydesignuniversity.com/se2026
Get Speak by Design Certified: https://speakbydesignuniversity.com/certification

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Coaching Great Writing as a Leadership Skill

Leaders, here’s a reality check: the presentation may impress in the moment, but it’s the written word that endures. Your emails, memos, and documents are what people reference, share, and rely on long after the meeting is over. That’s why great leaders don’t just write well—they coach their teams to write with clarity, impact, and precision. In this episode, we’re giving you the tools to level up your own writing and guide your team to do the same.

Discover how to master the 3S model of great writing: strategy, structure, and style. From crafting an outline that sets the foundation, to using vigorous language that eliminates fluff, we’re sharing actionable tips to make every word count. Whether you’re helping a team member refine their message or shaping a critical communication for your organization, these tips and tricks will transform the way you approach the written word. Tune in and learn how to create writing that’s clear, compelling, and built to last!

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How you speak is how you lead. Want to study this with other leaders? Take a look at www.speakbydesign.com/join. That's our leadership communication program that includes private, group, and self-paced learning for every learning style.

🔗 Links:

Start your coaching journey: https://speakbydesignuniversity.com/join
Chicago Leadership Day (July 15): https://speakbydesignuniversity.com/se2026
Get Speak by Design Certified: https://speakbydesignuniversity.com/certification

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Sharing communication pet peeves with co-workers strengthens relationships and elevates communication immediately. This does more than formal performance reviews!

Do you know what gets under your skin when someone speaks or communicates? More importantly, do you know what gets under your audience's skin? In this lesson, we explore the fascinating—and sometimes hilarious—world of communication pet peeves. From overused buzzwords like "manifest" and "robust" to distracting filler words and emails longer than a smartphone screen, we explore how these quirks can derail connection and productivity. But here’s the twist: these pet peeves aren’t just nuisances; they’re opportunities for self-awareness and growth.

Join us as we share real-life stories from leadership teams and explore how opening up about communication pet peeves can lead to stronger relationships, clearer messaging, and even a bit of team bonding. You’ll learn how to identify your own communication blind spots, give and receive constructive feedback, and turn those pesky pet peeves into a playful and productive tool for personal development. Don't miss this lighthearted yet transformative conversation—it might just change the way you communicate forever!

***

How you speak is how you lead. Want to study this with other leaders? Take a look at www.speakbydesign.com/join. That's our leadership communication program that includes private, group, and self-paced learning for every learning style.

🔗 Links:

Start your coaching journey: https://speakbydesignuniversity.com/join
Chicago Leadership Day (July 15): https://speakbydesignuniversity.com/se2026
Get Speak by Design Certified: https://speakbydesignuniversity.com/certification

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.