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Speak by Design Speak by Design helps professionals lead with confidence through communication coaching, executive presence training, and leadership development.

10/09/2026

Are you holding back?

Avoiding difficult conversations. Staying quiet in meetings. Passing up opportunities because you're afraid to step into the spotlight.

Sound familiar?

Think of the opportunities you've missed by holding back.

At Sharpen & Elevate, Speak by Design Leadership Communication Coach Madina Behori shared how she went from struggling with public speaking and conflict to helping other leaders develop those very skills.

Her story is a reminder that where you are today doesn't have to be where you stay.

Imagine where you could go if you stopped holding back.

“What are you recommending?”If your audience has to ask this, your main point may be arriving too late.Try this in your ...
10/07/2026

“What are you recommending?”

If your audience has to ask this, your main point may be arriving too late.

Try this in your next meeting:

    1.   Lead with your recommendation.
    2.   Give two or three reasons.
    3.   Make the next step clear.

Swipe for an example. Save for your next presentation.

Read more:
https://www.speakbydesign.com/post/what-makes-a-good-public-speaker

10/06/2026

What would change if you saw yourself as a peer to the senior leaders in the room?

That mindset can help you show up with greater confidence, assertiveness, and collaboration.

Episode 28 of the Speak by Design podcast: Manage Across 🔗👆🏻

10/05/2026

We spend a lot of time learning how to give feedback. We don't spend nearly enough time learning when.

The best feedback isn't a list of things someone should do differently. It's a conversation built on trust.

Before your next difficult conversation, ask yourself:

✔ Have I taken the time to understand this person first?
✔ Is this the right moment for them to hear it?
✔ Am I coming from a place of care?

Save this for your next tough conversation.

As you advance in your career, the ability to make complex ideas clear, command a room, structure your message, and hand...
09/30/2026

As you advance in your career, the ability to make complex ideas clear, command a room, structure your message, and handle difficult questions becomes increasingly important.

In the book Speak by Design, Stephanie Bickel shares practical strategies to strengthen your presence, sharpen your delivery, and communicate with greater impact.

Ready to elevate how you communicate?

Find this book at the link above.



09/29/2026

Give your boss feedback, especially when something they did worked.

Recognizing how your leader positively influenced a meeting or helped you grow can strengthen trust and your working relationship.

🎧 Episode 27 of the Speak by Design podcast: Manage Up 🔗👆🏻

09/28/2026

What if four words could change the direction of a meeting?

Some of the most powerful questions are also the simplest.

“Why not now?”

That question can move a conversation from someday to why are we waiting?

Before your next meeting, consider this:

What question could change the conversation?

09/25/2026

Playing it safe at work could be costing you.

→ You have the experience.
→ You have the ideas.
→ You know what needs to be said.

But when the moment comes to speak up, are you holding back?

Assertiveness is one of the most valuable communication skills a leader can develop, especially when the stakes are high.

At Sharpen & Elevate, Speak by Design Leadership Communication Coach Madina Behori challenged our leaders to examine what's really holding them back.

Her perspective might change how you approach your next important conversation.

Is something holding you back from being more assertive?

A senior leader's responsibility is to make complex ideas easier to understand.That starts with clear thinking.What is m...
09/24/2026

A senior leader's responsibility is to make complex ideas easier to understand.

That starts with clear thinking.

What is my point?
What does this person need to know?
What information supports my recommendation?

Then say it clearly.

One of the simplest ways to communicate with greater clarity is to:

State your point.
Support it with two reasons.
Stop.

When people understand your message, they can respond, make decisions, and move forward.

When people understand your message, they can respond, make decisions, and move forward.

09/22/2026

Bad news is hard enough. Don’t make it harder by revealing it piece by piece.

Share the full picture, be clear about timing, and communicate with courage and compassion.

Episode 26 of the Speak by Design podcast: Delivering Bad News

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