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, structured, and relentlessly clear. He does not try to impress. He wants to be understood.

And that is exactly why he is effective.

In this episode, Stephanie breaks down how Alex does it:

➤ Style: How he uses grounded presence, minimal emotion, and steady delivery to create authority without over-performing.

➤ Structure: How he simplifies complex ideas into sharp, repeatable frameworks. His messages are distilled to their essence, making them easy to follow and hard to forget.

➤ Strategy: How he leads with clarity over charisma. He removes distraction, gets to the point quickly, and builds trust by making his thinking transparent.

Alex Hormozi does not rely on personality to carry his message.

He relies on precision.

That is the lesson.

🔗 Links:

Start your coaching journey: speakbydesign.com/join
Chicago Leadership Day (July 15): speakbydesignuniversity.com/se2026
Certification: speakbydesignuniversity.com/certification/join

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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 power.

Robin Roberts is warm but not flimsy. Open but not sloppy. Expressive but never chaotic. Strong but never cold. She has the rare ability to make people feel deeply seen — while staying fully in charge.

In this episode, Stephanie breaks down exactly how Robin does it:

➤ Style — How she uses body language, voice, and emotional range to build instant trust with any audience.

➤ Structure — How she builds messages people can feel, repeat, and live by — using repetition, rhythm, humor, and a moral that always lands.

➤ Strategy — How relational influence works and why warmth, when it has mission behind it, becomes one of the most persuasive forces in communication.

Robin Roberts doesn't hide her humanity to look credible. She uses her humanity to deepen credibility. That's the lesson.

🔗 Links:

Start your coaching journey: speakbydesign.com/join
Chicago Leadership Day (July 15): speakbydesignuniversity.com/se2026
Certification: speakbydesignuniversity.com/certification/join

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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 Iger, outgoing CEO of The Walt Disney Company.

Iger officially hands the CEO role to Josh D'Amaro on March 18, 2026 Fox Business, closing one of the most storied leadership runs in corporate history. Before he exits the stage, we're studying exactly what makes him so worth watching.

Bob Iger is not a dramatic communicator. He's not flashy, not intense for intensity's sake. He doesn't crowd the room with himself. And yet, when he speaks, people listen. Why? Because he sounds like a leader people can trust. Measured. Wise. Clear. Safe. Secure. He sounds like someone who has already cut through the noise. Someone who doesn't need to prove he's in charge, because his steadiness does that for him.

What's covered in this episode:

➤ Style — How Bob Iger shows up: his body language, his voice, and the personal brand he projects through calm authority (not anxious authority). Nothing rushed. Nothing performative. Nothing aggressive.
➤ Structure — How he builds a message that lands without theatrics.
➤ Strategy — How he connects with and influences all audiences from investors to employees to the public.

The big takeaway: executive presence does not have to be theatrical. In fact, sometimes it's more trustworthy when it isn't. Bob Iger is the perfect example.

Search Bob Iger on YouTube and watch him speak to large audiences, especially investor audiences. You'll see exactly what we mean.

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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 Speak by Design in 2026 and there's a lot to share.

What's covered in this episode:

➤ Sharpen and Elevate in Chicago on July 15th, 2026.
Join us for a full day of live development: sharpen your executive presence, body language, voice, leadership brand, and on-your-feet thinking. (Companies: ask us about bringing this to your team!)

➤ Speak by Design Coaching Certification
Do you want to coach leadership communication inside your organization? Certification kicks off in July. Perfect for HR leaders, internal comms, and executive coaches.

➤ Speak by Design University
Now an annual, start-anytime program with 1:1 private coaching, a guided skill development path, and a portfolio of communication assets you'll actually use.

Plus, Stephanie shares 5 trends she's hearing from clients right now:

• Being told you're "too rude" — and what feedback to actually take seriously
• Tech & AI storytelling challenges for coders and developers
• Reigniting energy in multi-year transformations
• Team building after reductions and reorgs
• How to think (and speak) like a CEO

Next episode: A deep dive into studying Bob Iger. Bob is one of the most compelling speakers for investor audiences. Search him on YouTube and come ready.

Links:

Start the program: https://speakbydesign.com/join
Chicago event info: https://speakbydesignuniversity.com/se2026
Certification inquiries: https://speakbydesignuniversity.com/certification/join

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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 shifts, powerful self-talk, and a heart-to-heart approach that restores confidence and connection. Tune in to build real resilience for the toughest conversations at work.

How you speak is how you lead. Want to study this with other leaders? Take a look at www.speakbydesign.com/join. That's our leadership communication program that includes private, group, and self-paced learning for every learning style.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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 leaders turn tense moments into turning points. In this lesson, we explore how to rise above the heat and handle disagreement with ease. You’ll walk away thinking differently about conflict and maybe even proud when people disagree with you.

Join Speak by Design University when you are ready for your next level: speakbydesignuniversity.com/join

Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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 updates, craft more compelling stories, and exude confidence every time you speak. You’ll learn the proven steps to developing new communication habits—starting today—and hear inspiring stories of how others have elevated their skills.

While this is the end of the lesson series; it’s the beginning of your practicum. Now, practice is required to create those new habits.

***

How you speak is how you lead. Want to study this with other leaders? Take a look at www.speakbydesign.com/join. That's our leadership communication program that includes private, group, and self-paced learning for every learning style. If you register by December 31st, you will receive the full Anniversary plan in its entirety and the discounts.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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 guiding a peer, coaching is your chance to inspire growth and impact at every level.

Join us as we explore the five pivotal coaching moments in professional relationships. From establishing rapport to setting growth expectations, providing actionable feedback, and mastering the art of listening during vulnerable moments, this episode is packed with practical strategies to elevate your coaching game. Learn how to transform your feedback into motivation, avoid common pitfalls, and design the future you want for yourself and those around you.

Don’t miss this dynamic conversation—it’s time to coach with clarity and compassion.

***

How you speak is how you lead. Want to study this with other leaders? Take a look at www.speakbydesign.com/join. That's our leadership communication program that includes private, group, and self-paced learning for every learning style.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.