Speak by Design

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 communicate more openly, extend trust, and become a true partner. You’ll also discover how to offer encourage...

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 and create lasting positive impressions. From mastering your first 30 words to refreshing your look an...

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 why their work is important. Tune in to discover: How to craft a compelling mission that is simple, memor...

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 Momentum in your team and projects. Whether it’s re-engaging a once-enthusiastic new hire, revitalizing a long...

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 dive into what it means to be emotionally intelligent, decisive, and calm, even when things don’t go a...

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 or litigation, tough conversations are an inevitable part of leadership. But here’s the twist—they’re...

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 relationships, and increases productivity. This lesson will teach you how to frame feedback in a way that not only...

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. By learning to delegate, you not only create space for your growth but also help your team thrive. Joi...

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 interactions with your team. We'll share practical strategies for building a supportive environment, deliverin...

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 powerful questions that foster trust and alignment. Discover how seeing peers as collaborators rather th...

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 is a game-changer and how you can confidently bring solutions, not just questions, to the table. You'll...

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 creating resistance or emotional fallout. From avoiding "Freudian hydraulics" to framing messages positively,...

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 objections with the media, the Board, the leadership team, and important customers. Be a model for other...

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 — mastering direct responses can help. In this lesson of the Speak by Design podcast, we’ll cover everything...

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 virtual meetings are created equal. Everyone needs to be on camera, well-lit, and properly positioned to...

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 feeling offended or defensive. Find the right balance between being confident and not crossing over into ag...

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 pocket to elevate their interactions and the impact of their words. Stories aren't just fluff. They’re p...

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. Discover what needs to be built to get noticed and how to position yourself to get invited to speak to variou...

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 are struggling to believe it's possible. It's the leader's responsibility to make sure the message is cl...

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 Starts and Closes. Discover practical techniques to grab your audience's attention from the first word...

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, Style, Structure, and Strategy. Learn actionable ways to shift your mindset from scarcity to opportunity, r...

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 Lack of frequency + follow-through Inconsistency Lack of Delegation Learn the framework for articulatin...

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 upfront so there is no risk of confusion. Keep your responses short so that you maintain your listener's atte...

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 - you naturally will have a better delivery. People often resist the idea of acting in a business setting...

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 this order: Relaxation Breathing Articulator Stretches Touching Sound Resonance Projection Articulation...