PODCAST · business
Speak by Design
by Stephanie Bickel
Leadership communication strategies to help you become a consistently compelling force. Be impeccable with your words. Improve your beliefs around communication to help your messages create action. Hosted by Stephanie BickelHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Episodes
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2026 - Studying Great Speakers Episode 9: The Authenticity Trap with Dominique Murray
Why Bringing Your Whole Self to Work Is a Trap: Authenticity and Executive Presence Authenticity is everywhere in leadership advice. Be yourself. Be vulnerable. Bring your whole self to work. But almost no one tells you where that advice quietly backfires, or how oversharing can cost a strong...
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2026 - Studying Great Speakers Episode 8: Storytelling for Leaders with Mark Busse
How to Tell Stories That Win Buy-In: Storytelling for Executive Communication Most leaders know they need stories. Almost none feel ready to tell them. They worry they are not creative enough, that storytelling feels manipulative, or that they simply do not know where to begin. In this episode,...
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2026 - Studying Great Speakers Episode 7: Managing Derailment
Stop Getting Derailed in Leadership Meetings: How to Handle Pushback and Earn Buy-In Are you constantly getting derailed in meetings? You're not alone. In this episode, we break down why senior leaders interrupt, resist, and push back — and exactly what to do about it. Whether you're advocating…
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2026 - Studying Great Speakers Episode 6: Future of Learning with Lisa Christensen
New here? Don't start here. Go back to Episode 1 and follow the sequence 1–50, designed as a private coaching journey. Today's guest is ahead of the curve and she has the data to prove it. Lisa Christensen leads learning design and innovation at McKinsey & Company, one of the most influential…
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2026 - Studying Great Speakers Episode 5: Mindset Shifts for Executive Communication with Madina Behori
How to Rebuild Confidence as a Leader: Mindset Shifts for Executive Communication Many professionals appear confident on the surface. But underneath? They are battling anxiety, overthinking feedback, fear of judgment, and the pressure to always have the perfect answer. In this episode, Stephanie...
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2026 - Studying Great Trainers Episode 4: Speak by Design's Golden Rules for Facilitation
10 Communication Training Facilitation Tips That Actually Change Leadership Behavior After decades of coaching leaders, Stephanie Bickel has learned something important: Most communication training does not fail because the information is bad. It fails because people never practice the skill in a...
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2026 - Studying Great Speakers Episode 3: Alex Hormozi
2026 - Studying Great Speakers Episode 3: Alex Hormozi New here? Don’t start here. Go back to Episode 1 and follow the sequence 1–50, designed as a private coaching journey. Today’s speaker study is ROGUE YET RELATABLE. Alex Hormozi is not polished in the traditional sense. He is direct,...
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2026 - Studying Great Speakers Episode 2: Robin Roberts
Studying Great Speakers Episode 2: Robin Roberts New here? Don't start here! Go back to Episode 1 and follow the sequence 1–50, designed as a private coaching journey. Today's speaker study proves something many leaders still underestimate: warmth is not weakness. In the right hands, warmth is...
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2026 - Studying Great Speakers Episode 1 - Bob Iger
New here? This is not the place to start! Begin with Episode 1 and follow the sequence 1–50, designed as a private coaching journey. At Speak by Design, we analyze speakers by their style, structure, and strategy — and today's subject is one of the most quietly compelling leaders in business: Bob...
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2026 - Episode 1 - Leadership Communication Trends
2026 Update | What's New at Speak by Design This episode is an update for our active clients, not a place to start. New here? Begin with Episode 1 and follow the sequence 1–50, designed as a private coaching journey. Stephanie Bickel is back with an exciting update on everything happening at…
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Season 2 - Increase Conflict Tolerance - Part 2
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...
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Season 2 - Increase Conflict Tolerance - Part 1
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...
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50 | Build New Communication Habits
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…
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49 | Coach Others
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...
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48 | Coach Yourself
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…
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47 | Be a Great Writer
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…
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46 | Share Communication Pet Peeves
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…
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45 | Discuss Communication Preferences
Have you ever stopped to think about your own communication preferences? Do you expect email replies within hours? Do you prefer phone, video, email, or in person meetings? Or maybe you dread the ambiguous "check-in call" on your calendar? Here's the thing: unspoken preferences often lead to...
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44 | Understand Power Dynamics
When you understand how power dynamics work, you can improve relationships around you immediately. This works at every level of the organization. Learn how to re-balance the power in one-on-one relationships. Maybe you need to give more power to your team members or take some power back. We will...
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43 | Language of Leadership
Leaders, make your words count. Great leaders don’t clutter their speech with unnecessary descriptors or softening phrases. Instead, they use simple, clear language that sticks, crafting messages that are easily memorizable and impactful. In this episode, we delve into the art of choosing…
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42 | Get Skilled at the Art of the Gathering
Do you feel like your meetings are missing the mark? You're not alone! Do you want to design meetings that improve culture and drive better business results? In this lesson, you'll discover how to transform your gatherings into memorable, impactful experiences that people will actually enjoy—and...
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41 | Co-Create Culture
Do you have disengaged colleagues? Maybe some apathetic folks? This lesson is about the leader's ability to empower their team to create the culture. It’s not about dictating the values and hoping the team falls in line. It's about empowering each team member to actively shape the culture they…
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40 | Increase Team Effectiveness
Unlock Your Team's Full Potential with Better Communication In this lesson, learn how to increase team effectiveness through communication and deeper relationships. If you've ever wondered how to inspire your team to work better together, maintain momentum, and even accelerate their productivity,...
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39 | Get More Visible
Do you need to shine a brighter spotlight on your ideas and initiatives at work? To create real impact, you need to be seen and heard. In this lesson, we explore how to boost your professional presence and get the visibility your ideas deserve. Whether you’re looking for small, actionable tips or...
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38 | Campaign to Promotion
Earning a promotion requires meeting expectations AND standing out as the obvious choice. In this lesson, we explore what it truly takes to campaign for that next level. The first step? Understand the measuring stick—what does your organization expect for the next role, and how can you clearly...
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37 | Strengthen the Boss Relationship
Want to improve your relationship with your leader? In this lesson, we share powerful tips that will help you build a stronger, more aligned connection with your leader. From shifting your mindset to offering solutions, these strategies can transform your professional dynamic. Learn how to...
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36 | Create a Fresh Start
Ever feel like you've made a bad first impression, or perhaps yesterday's meeting just didn't go as planned? It's easy to dwell on past mistakes, but the key to growth is realizing that every day is a new opportunity for a fresh start. Learn practical strategies to rebuild your reputation at work...
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35 | Communication Mission, Vision, & Values
What is the foundation for every powerful and aligned team? Mission, Vision, and Values Teams need purpose. Your mission, vision, and values anchor your team’s efforts and help them see the bigger picture, especially when challenges arise. They provide clarity and direction, reminding everyone…
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34 | Increase Momentum
When you’re leading a major change effort, keeping the energy high can be a challenge. Over time, enthusiasm wanes, productivity dips, and fatigue sets in. But what if you could turn that around and reignite the drive to succeed? In this lesson, we explore practical strategies to Increase…
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33 | Develop Poise Under Pressure
Staying calm when the heat is on is not just a nice-to-have—it's essential. In this lesson, we explore one of the four pillars of gravitas: being poised under pressure. When chaos strikes or unexpected challenges arise, your ability to maintain grace and control can make all the difference. We’ll...
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32 Expect Tough Conversations
Great leaders don’t just face tough conversations—they invite them. In this episode, we dive into why every leader must anticipate and even create these challenging dialogues. Whether it’s addressing mistakes, delivering critical feedback, or handling unexpected issues like contract cancellations...
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31 Only Give Feedforward
Do you want to be an inspirational leader? Instead of giving feedback, give feedforward. In our latest episode, we dive into the concept of feedforward—a communication strategy that transforms feedback into an opportunity for growth and inspiration. It deepens trust, builds meaningful...
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30 Delegate and Elevate
What stifles productivity and business growth? Poor delegation. What tasks have you been wanting to delegate but haven't yet? It's easy to hold onto tasks because we fear losing control or feeling indispensable. But in this episode, we'll explore how to delegate effectively and free up your time....
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29 Manage Down
How do you inspire your people to take action, to bring original ideas, to take calculated risks, to increase ownership? In this episode, discover the power of patience in effective leadership. Learn how to shift your beliefs about not having enough time and watch how this transforms your...
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28 Manage Across
In this episode, we dive into the art of managing across – peer relationships that drive cooperation and collaboration. Ever wondered how to elevate your peer interactions to achieve more together? We’ll unpack practical strategies, from deeper listening techniques inspired by Chris Voss to the...
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27 Manage Up
Tackle one of the most powerful skills you can master in your career: managing up. Whether you're aiming to build a stronger relationship with your boss or looking to earn the trust of higher-ups, this lesson is packed with insights you won't want to miss. We are diving into why being assertive…
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26 Deliver Bad News - Speak the Truth
We're unpacking one of the most challenging yet essential aspects of gravitas: the ability to speak truth to power. How do you deliver tough messages with clarity and compassion? Why is it crucial to balance directness with empathy? We discuss best practices for delivering bad news without…
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25 Handle Objections with Ease
Do you freeze when people disagree? Do you shut down when people say, "that won't work". We have to learn how to handle objections to ideas with ease. We need to invite and plan for objections, so we can have more productive conversations. You want to be a senior leader who can smoothly address...
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24 Handle Questions Directly
Want to earn trust with senior audiences? You have to learn how to handle questions directly. Being able to address questions head-on makes you seem decisive, transparent, and trustworthy. Whether you’ve struggled with difficult questions in the past or fear you might stumble under pressure —...
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23 Master Remote Meetings
Let’s address a myth that in person meetings are better than virtual meetings. Virtual meetings offer unparalleled convenience with the ease of scheduling, ease of recording and screen sharing. They are a fraction of the cost considering the time, effort, and expense of travel. However, not all...
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22 Dial Up Assertiveness
Have you been told you need to speak up in meetings or that you could be more assertive? Being asked to be more assertive means you’re valued, and your team wants to see more of your brilliance. Explore how you can take up more space, lead discussions, and show your leadership skills without...
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21 Master the 5 Most Important Stories
It's game-changing when leaders master the 5 Most Important Stories. If you've ever struggled to make your message stick or felt like your words just weren't making the impact you wanted, then listen in. We’re breaking down the five most important stories every leader should have in their back...
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20 Market Your Talks
How do you help your ideas spread? We taught you how to craft a powerful 10-minute talk in Lesson 19. Now, it’s time to take that talk and market it to your internal team, customers, and the broader public. In this episode, we dive into the essentials of promoting your message effectively.…
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19 Build the 10-Min Talk
One of the most important meetings for leaders is the townhall. Leaders use townhall meetings to articulate a new strategy, reset and improve the company culture, and create an accelerated pace of productivity. Maybe your strategy keeps shifting. Maybe it has been too complicated. Maybe people…
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18 Begin and End Strong
Do your messages capture attention right from the start and leave a lasting impression? Beginnings and endings are crucial in any form of communication, and mastering them can significantly enhance your impact. Join us on this week's episode of Speak by Design where we dive into the art of Strong...
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17 Ask for Investment
Great leaders know how to ask for investment. It's an art. It's not easy to ask for funding and budget. What if you could approach these conversations with confidence and strategic insight? In this lesson, we tackle the art of asking for investment by focusing on four crucial areas: Mindset…
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16 Become an Expert at Articulating a Vision
Leaders are responsible for articulating the North Star. When you do this well, you create clarity for your colleagues and renewed commitment. How do you share a vision and strategy that aligns and excites audiences? Listen to ways to avoid these common problems: Too Much Information No Context...
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15 Get Clear and Concise
The leader's message must be understood. When it isn't, your audience stops trusting you. Build the habit of speaking clearly and concisely - because when you confuse, you lose. And when you ramble, they scramble. Learn tips and tricks to help you simplify the complex. Get your bottom line…
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14 Perfect Your Delivery
Leaders must have showmanship and know how to "perform" a message. It is part of the role. Great delivery balances three tensions: Strength and Vulnerability Fitting In and Standing Out Distance and Intimacy When you put all of the opposites into your body language, vocal presence, and content -...
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13 Warm Up the Voice Daily
When you sound confident, the audience hears that and listens better to you. Your voice is just like a muscle. Without daily conditioning, the voice will weaken. A strong voice is a leader's best way to convey conviction, confidence, and commitment. The perfect daily warmup includes exercises in...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Leadership communication strategies to help you become a consistently compelling force. Be impeccable with your words. Improve your beliefs around communication to help your messages create action. Hosted by Stephanie BickelHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
HOSTED BY
Stephanie Bickel
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Speak by Design have?
Speak by Design currently has 63 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Speak by Design about?
Leadership communication strategies to help you become a consistently compelling force. Be impeccable with your words. Improve your beliefs around communication to help your messages create action. Hosted by Stephanie BickelHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
How often does Speak by Design release new episodes?
Speak by Design has 63 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Speak by Design?
You can listen to Speak by Design on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Speak by Design?
Speak by Design is created and hosted by Stephanie Bickel.
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