Visualize success. Imagine your victory lap 12 months from now. Here’s the premise: next year, you don’t just “get better.” You get strategic. You embrace AI instead of avoiding it. You deepen relationships instead of hoping visibility magically appears. You handle conflict, project updates, and hard conversations with more ease because you have a toolkit, not just good intentions. In this episode, we connect the dots: stronger meetings, sharper facilitation, more comfort in front of big audiences, and more confidence when the questions get tough. You’ll hear how to think like an executive communicator, how to deliver an executive summary, a business case, a recommendation that requires investment, and how to navigate board-level pushback without shrinking or spinning. And then we go where growth actually happens: not in your past, but in your next. Past awkward moments? Old feedback? Former stumbles? Not relevant. Focus on who you’re becoming and give yourself permission to imagine it as easier, more fun, and more impactful. A little “productive delusion” isn’t denial. It’s direction. There are acres of diamonds around you and tremendous opportunity in your current role, if you train yourself to see them. If you’re ready to build this year on purpose, join us inside Speak by Design University. Register now at speakbydesign.com/join (https://speakbydesignuniversity.com/join) and set up your 2026 to be supercharged—organized, supported, and already in motion. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

As you head into 2026, don’t “network.” Design. Decide on purpose who you want in your corner, who you want to learn from, and who you want to be useful to. Start with a simple constraint: 13 people. Not 30. Not a random scroll of LinkedIn. Thirteen is big enough to stretch you—and small enough to make real. In Day 11, I’ll walk you through a smarter mix: one-third strong ties (the people who already know your value), one-third weak ties (the people who can open surprising doors), and one-third “not yet” ties—people you don’t really know, but should. Think of it as a relationship portfolio: steady investments, high-upside bets, and a few bold new plays. Here’s why it matters: visibility doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Your reputation travels through people long before you enter the room. We’ll build a simple cadence: monthly or quarterly touch points, so this feels natural, not needy. You’ll learn the difference between mentors (great perspective) and sponsors (real leverage). And we’ll go beyond tactics to the four conversations real relationships can hold: business opportunity, business challenge, personal opportunity, personal challenge. Your 2026 challenge: protect 10% of your week for relationships. Watch what happens to your influence, your confidence, and your career momentum. Ready to turn this into momentum, not just a nice theory? Join Speak by Design University and build your 2026 relationship plan (and the communication skills to activate it) with structure, coaching, and a clear cadence. Register today at speakbydesign.com/join (https://speakbydesignuniversity.com/join) so you start the year supercharged, focused, visible, and already in motion. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Difficult conversations are coming for you in 2026. Not “maybe.” Not “if.” Your team member who keeps missing the mark. Your leader who wants answers, not excuses. A client who suddenly sounds disappointed. In Day 10 of the 12 Days of Readiness, we take those moments off the “dread” list and move them onto your “I’ve got this” list. Discover how to manage the conversation in your own head first, so you stop over-personalizing what is simply about mission, goals, and process. You’ll hear how to set clear expectations without rambling, control your face and body so you don’t look harsher than you feel, and swap dramatic, negative language for values-based, forward-looking phrases that people can actually act on. You’ll also learn one tiny word that instantly lowers defensiveness: curious. Used with a calm, almost playful tone, it lets you ask the hardest questions without triggering a fight. This is one of our monthly topics inside Speak by Design University, where we’ll go even deeper with role plays and improvisation on your real difficult conversations. Registration for Speak by Design University 2026 is open at speakbydesign.com/join (https://speakbydesignuniversity.com/join). If you’d like a sponsorship packet to share with your company, email team@speakbydesign.com (mailto:team@speakbydesign.com) and we’ll send you materials to help you get internal approval. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Project management isn’t just Gantt charts and timelines. It’s the way you talk about the work. In 2026, the leaders who rise fastest will be the ones who can communicate the clearest: what’s done, what’s stuck, and what needs to change without drama or defensiveness. That’s the heart of this episode. Turn project updates into leadership moments: using “on track/off track” as standard language, giving status updates that are crisp and actionable, and cutting the rambling that quietly erodes your credibility. You’ll hear how to ask sharper questions without putting people on edge, and how to make escalation feel safe, expected, and part of how high-performing teams operate. Strong project communication builds trust, accelerates progress, and prevents surprises. It’s one of the clearest signals that you’re ready for bigger responsibilities and a core theme inside the Speak by Design University program. How you speak is how you lead. Take a look at www.speakbydesign.com/join (http://www.speakbydesign.com/join). Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Can your team repeat your 2026 strategy in one breath? That’s the real test of whether your strategy is truly clear or just trapped on a slide deck. In Day 8 of our 12 Days of Readiness for 2026 series, we dig into the hidden skill behind every great strategy: how you talk about it. In this episode, we explore: Why strategic clarity becomes essential as you rise How to turn your 2026 strategy into words people remember—and repeat The alignment test: does your message really support your CEO’s direction? How to tell the story of your strategy so people actually want to follow it Registration is NOW OPEN for our 2026 Speak by Design University program. If you’re ready to transform your skills and reach new heights, take a look: www.speakbydesign.com/join (http://www.speakbydesign.com/join). It’s our year-long leadership communication program with: A tailored private coaching plan Cohort support meetings monthly On-demand learning at your finger tips And every month, you add a new, high-impact communication asset to your portfolio. Registration closes December 31st. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Just like professionals refresh their wardrobe, we also need to refresh our virtual studios to match our personal brand. Today is devoted to your virtual communication, how your on-screen presence either amplifies or undermines the impact you’re working so hard to make. If you want to accelerate your career in 2026, you will need to boost your on-camera technique. When your virtual meetings are as effective as your in-person meetings, you save time and money and dramatically expand your reach. Imagine how much wider your network becomes when you can connect globally with confidence. High-visibility professionals need strong on-camera technique: your background, colors, and contrast shape what people notice first, and your setup quietly sends signals about your credibility before you ever speak. In this episode, I walk you through the visual and structural choices that shape how others experience you on screen: from lighting, audio, and framing to the subtle habits that weaken or strengthen your presence. You’ll hear how to upgrade your virtual space so it feels intentional, aligned with your brand, and worthy of the opportunities you’re pursuing. Great virtual communication doesn’t happen by accident; it’s created thoughtfully, consistently, and with a clear point of view about how you want to be experienced. How you speak is how you lead. Want to join us in 2026? We start in January. Take a look at www.speakbydesign.com/join (http://www.speakbydesign.com/join). That's our leadership communication program that includes private, group, and on-demand learning. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Welcome to Day 6 of the 12 Days of Readiness. Today we’re focusing on something every leader needs but few ever measure well: your impact as a communicator. One of the best career practices you can build is updating your manager or evaluator 2–4 times a year on how you’re growing – and to do that well, you need clear signs that your communication is actually working. In this episode, I walk you through the subtle, but powerful, indicators that your communication is landing: why influence shows up first in behavioral shifts, not dashboards; how to tell whether people understand and act on your direction; what it means when others start using your phrases and language; the surprising signals that people are truly listening; why improving your on-camera presence dramatically expands your reach; and how we help you assess your progress inside the new 2026 tracks. Measuring impact is not about perfection. It’s about noticing the evidence that you are moving people, aligning them, and inspiring them consistently, and using that data to tell a clear growth story to your leaders. Registration for Speak by Design University 2026 is now open at speakbydesign.com/join (https://speakbydesignuniversity.com/join). If you’re ready to turn these daily insights into a full year of deliberate practice, this is your moment to step in. The program combines 4 pillars of learning: with private coaching, cohort support, and a portfolio of powerful communications. We built this with our coaches from what we have seen be the most transformative moments with clients. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Your relationship with your boss is one of the most powerful forces shaping your career: more than your title, your projects, or the org chart. In this Day 5 episode of the 12 Days of Readiness, we flip the script on “managing up” by starting where influence actually begins: your thoughts about the person you report to. How you see your leader quietly determines how you show up with them. Look for what’s true and positive about your boss: their experience, the complexity they manage, the invisible stress they carry and then align your behavior with that perspective. That mental reset leads to practical changes: shorter emails, clearer asks, cleaner links, proactive reminders, helpful suggestions, and well-timed recognition that lands on their hardest days. When you make it your mission to help your leader be successful, you bring more energy than you take — and the dynamic shifts for both of you. This episode helps you build that kind of relationship on purpose. Registration is now open for the 2026 Speak by Design University program at speakbydesign.com/join.www.speakbydesign.com/join (http://www.speakbydesign.com/join). We will close registration December 31st at midnight. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

High-stakes moments define careers. In Day 4 of the 12 Days of Readiness series, Stephanie Bickel shows you how to communicate with clarity and authority when the spotlight is brightest—on stage, on panels, in media interviews, and in recorded settings where your message lives far beyond the room. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why larger audiences become easier when you center the message—not yourself How to design content that shines in high-visibility environments A simple sequence for crafting strong executive messages How data strengthens credibility and logical flow What leaders must prepare for when facing media-style questions This is your blueprint for showing up clear, composed, and compelling when it matters most. Enrollment for Speak by Design University 2026 opens December 1. Join the waitlist to get first access. www.speakbydesign.com/join (http://www.speakbydesign.com/join). That's our 2026 leadership communication experience that includes private, group, and self-paced learning for every learning style. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Great leaders are great storytellers. In Day 3 of the 12 Days of Readiness series, Stephanie Bickel reveals why storytelling is one of the most powerful tools in leadership communication—and how the right story, told well, can shape how people think, feel, and act in 2026. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why your personal story builds trust and credibility A simple structure for telling concise, compelling stories The five stories every leader needs for a successful 2026 Why new stories influence more than old ones How to position yourself as the guide, not the hero If you want your message to stick and your leadership to resonate, start by sharpening your stories. Enrollment for Speak by Design University 2026 opens soon. Learn more and join the waitlist.www.speakbydesign.com/join (http://www.speakbydesign.com/join). That's our leadership communication program that includes private, group, and self-paced learning for every learning style. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.