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“You should…” “If I were you…” “When are you going to…?” Unsolicited advice has a way of landing harder than it should. Not because it’s always wrong, but because it often crosses an invisible line. With holiday gatherings and Christmas just two days away, I wrote a short piece on how to navigate these moments without overreacting, over-explaining, or damaging the relationship.

“Got a Minute?” has quietly turned into a 45-minute therapy session for too many leaders. You walk in ready to talk strategy and performance, and walk out carrying everyone’s childhood wounds and workplace pain. In this tip sheet, Stephanie shows you how to say “I’m not your therapist” with gravitas and grace, while still being the leader people trust.

Group settings like panels and roundtables require a balance of confidence and collaboration. To stand out without overpowering, great panelists listen actively, speak with focused clarity, affirm others, use their physical presence wisely, and close with thoughtful brevity. The goal is to contribute meaningfully while elevating the conversation—not dominating it.

July 9, 2025 | Birmingham, MI with Stephanie Bickel At Speak by Design, we believe leadership communication is a skillset that’s always evolving, because leadership itself is never static. That’s why we created Sharpen & Elevate : a one-day intensive experience designed to help leaders break through their current limits and rise to the next level of clarity, presence, and influence. This isn’t a lecture, nor a seminar. It’s an interactive workshop. On July 9th in Detroit , we

When Your Old Boss Becomes Your Peer.Working alongside someone who once led you can blur roles and expectations. Clear communication and mutual respect are key to productive, peer-level collaboration on complex projects.

Pet peeves are not just personal quirks—they’re a leadership opportunity.

One crucial aspect of gravitas is the ability to speak truth to power—delivering bad news to important stakeholders with courage and clarity

Building relationship is a strategic investment in the organization's ability to navigate complexity and achieve its goals.

Transparency and compassion are key elements in effectively delivering difficult news to a team.

The approach of monitoring progress without micromanaging supports a healthy work culture, stimulates individual growth, and overall success

Being able to maximize the talents of your people is a true marker of a great leader. Not everyone is born to lead, but you can learn how.

The more we express ourselves using the same markers, the more distinctive our style becomes. What kind of leader do you want to be?

How to intervene when someone is still going off-topic, negative, or taking too much airtime.

How do you delight a new boss and team? Take your onboarding into your own hands and embrace some shock and awe.

Are you working with a manager who isn't open to feedback? They respond with, "that's the way it is here." Navigate this tough conversation

The relationship you create, develop, and strengthen is crucial for a meaningful and impactful work environment for you both.

Only you can control what you think about your boss. This relationship is an important part of your well-being at work.

Vanessa Pappas is on our best public speakers list because of how she organizes her messages and uses a confident, definitive tone.

Implement our best communication skills training tips to delight your leaders. Create your 'North Wind' and make their life easier.

Design a LinkedIn profile that sets you up for successful conversations, launches relationships, and brings you opportunities.