First Time Facilitator

Send Leanne a message

Leanne Hughes’ 2023 Annual Report podcast/video episode, where I share my favourite UNOFFICIAL business metrics, and quarter by quarter highlights/lessons learnt.

Some of my unofficial metrics include:

• 📈 # of countries visited
• 📈 Clients I loved partnering with
• 📈 New topics explored
• 📈 Messages about the book and its impact 
• 📈 How often did I wake up, look at my calendar and get excited about the day?

What unofficial metrics do you like to report on at the end of the year?

Offers launched:

• Book: The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint
• Sentient Strategy
• Leanne Hughes’ Red Carpet Experience
• Leanne on Demand

Your name can feature on Leanne's Wall of Work Fame.

Just pre-order her book by 30 Sep 2026; and follow the details to claim your star.

Also, there are a ton of bulk order incentives as well!

Support the show

Send Leanne a message

 Watch our conversation on YouTube!

My experience with luck has been, you can actually optimize for luck. So, what is this got to do with workshops and facilitation and hosting group events?

I think it has a lot to do with it. If your goal is next year to create more workshops, to work with really great clients, to be more aligned with the work that you do-- yhere's an element of intentionality around that and making a decision and making a choice. And I'm currently going through that at the moment.

Today, we’re joined by Dr. Christian Busch, the author of the book “The Serendipity Mindset: The Art and Science of Creating Good Luck”. He’s the Director of Global Economy Program at New York University’s Center for Global Affairs where he teaches on purpose-driven leadership, impact, entrepreneurship, innovation, and emerging markets. 

He’s been featured on many TEDx Talks. I recently watched one of the TEDx Talks he was in, and it was so fantastic; I’ve decided to invite him here. Join me as we learn from what Christian has to share today.

  In this conversation, you’ll hear Dr. Christian discuss:

• What it actually means to cultivate a serendipity mindset
• The difference between blind luck and smart luck
• The fear of missing out
• The contrast between planning and being open to opportunities
• The dynamics between being an introvert and an extrovert
• How introverts can cultivate more serendipity in their life
• Rapid Round

 Conversation moments:

• The difference between blind luck and smart luck
•  How to balance FOMO while cultivating serendipity in your life -- the hook strategy
•  It’s great to have a milestone but why would you limit yourself to that?
• How to bring serendipity as a mindset in your day-to-day
• Cultivating serendipity when you’re an introvert

Connect with Dr. Christian Busch here:

• Dr. Christian’s website
• Dr. Christian on LinkedIn
• Dr. Christian on Twitter

 Rapid Round Recommendations:

• Book: “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor E. Frankl
• Tool: Headspace
• Song: “Beautiful Day” by U2
• Quote: “We cannot always control the situation we’re in, but we can always control our response to it.” – Viktor E. Frankl

Connect with Leanne Hughes on all the platforms:
LinkedIn
Instagram
Twitter

For suggestions, collaborations and queries, email me [email protected]. Support this podcast by subscribing and leaving a review, it would mean a lot!
Thanks for being here. See you next week.

Your name can feature on Leanne's Wall of Work Fame.

Just pre-order her book by 30 Sep 2026; and follow the details to claim your star.

Also, there are a ton of bulk order incentives as well!

Support the show

Send Leanne a message

How do you personally POWER YOURSELF UP to host a workshop when you're sleep deprived? That's the topic Leanne riffs off in this solo episode, where she shares ideas on:

* * Insights from her personal story on powering up after facing challenges like jet lag and disrupted routines.
* How personal energy significantly impacts workshop facilitation and the need to show up as your best self.
* Exploring various power-up routines, including environment shifts, the magic of music, and tailored playlists for different workshop vibes.
* Quick strategies for resetting and refocusing, such as gratitude practices, journaling, and the benefits of movement.

Join Leanne's free community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/firsttimefacilitator
Grab her book, The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint: https://2hourwork.shop

Your name can feature on Leanne's Wall of Work Fame.

Just pre-order her book by 30 Sep 2026; and follow the details to claim your star.

Also, there are a ton of bulk order incentives as well!

Support the show

Send Leanne a message

Welcome back to another episode with your host, Leanne Hughes. I received a listener question from my friend, Juraj Holub and thought I'd share my thoughts on the show.

Here's the question:
I'm thinking about the flow of a session.

Let me share more details. 

Goal: I'd like the workshop participants to practice and learn "how to open a presentation."

Option A:
- Participants go first and deliver their opening to their current best capabilities. 
- We debrief each opening (What went well? What could be improved?)
- After that, I'll share and add additional tips on how to best open a presentation.

Option B:
- We start with a group brainstorming about the best ways to open a presentation.
- Only then do participants get the chance to step on stage and deliver their opening.
- We debrief each opening

What are your thoughts?
What factors would you consider in your response?

Resources Mentioned:

• The Two Hour Workshop Blueprint (Leanne Hughes)
• Slido (Polling App)
• Remote People (Juraj's  New Business)
• Connect with Juraj

Connect with Leanne:

• Instagram: @LeanneHughes
• LinkedIn: [Leanne Hughes's LinkedIn]
• Email: [email protected]

Closing Thoughts:

Leanne encourages listeners to stay subscribed for upcoming episodes, and welcomes feedback and questions through her social media and email.

Your name can feature on Leanne's Wall of Work Fame.

Just pre-order her book by 30 Sep 2026; and follow the details to claim your star.

Also, there are a ton of bulk order incentives as well!

Support the show

Send Leanne a message

What does it mean to truly have the character of a leader? Is culture really something we can influence in an organisation?

 Watch our conversation on YouTube!

Shane Hatton is an author, trainer, coach, and speaker who is passionate about developing remarkable leaders and cultures. He works with organizations to close the leadership gap between mid and senior level leaders.

 Aside from being the author of the books “Let’s Talk Culture – The Conversations You Need to Create the Team You Want” and “Lead The Room – Communicate a Message That Counts in Moments That Matter”, Shane is also a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach, a member of the Forbes Global Coaches Council, and is the Founder of the People Leaders Network.

 I met Shane on the Clubhouse app, where we had various conversations around various topics, but it was when I attended his book launch earlier this year in Sydney that we finally got to meet in real life.

 In this conversation, you’ll hear Shane discuss:

• His book, “Let’s Talk Culture – The Conversations You Need to Create the Team You Want”
• The insights of culture
• Practical things leaders can do to build and reinforce their culture
• His personal insights on how he handles his energy
• How he manages the contrast of being the person in front of the room and while also thriving behind the scenes
• Rapid Round

 Connect with Shane Hatton here:

• Shane’s website
• Shane on Instagram
• Shane on Facebook
• Shane on Twitter
• Shane on LinkedIn
• Shane on YouTube

Rapid Round Recommendations:

• Book: The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates
• Tool/App: ClickUp
• Song: Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
• Quote: “The moment we begin to think we have all the answers, we forget all the questions.” – Madeleine L’Engle
• Quote: “You can tell whether a man is clever by his answers. You can tell whether a man is wise by his questions.” – Naguib Mahfouz

Connect with Leanne Hughes on all the platforms:
LinkedIn
Instagram
Twitter

For suggestions, collaborations and queries, email me [email protected]. Support this podcast by subscribing and leaving a review, it would mean a lot!
Thanks for being here. See you next week.

Your name can feature on Leanne's Wall of Work Fame.

Just pre-order her book by 30 Sep 2026; and follow the details to claim your star.

Also, there are a ton of bulk order incentives as well!

Support the show

Send Leanne a message

Welcome to another episode of the First Time Facilitator podcast, where your host, Leanne Hughes, goes solo, diving deep into the Keep section of the SPARK framework, a crucial element of her book, "The Two Hour Workshop Blueprint," now available on Audible.

Key Takeaways:

• Continuous Improvement: Learn about the importance of reflecting on what worked well in your past workshops and what didn't, to continuously improve and design more effectively for future sessions.
• Personal Organisation: Leanne shares her personal system of organising facilitator materials
• Leveraging the Keep Method: Understand the intricacies of the Keep method in workshop desig
• Smart Resource Management: Learn about innovative ways to manage your resources, including using cloud services, books, and Post-it notes, to bookmark and quickly access your favorite workshop activities.
• Efficient Post-Workshop Practices: Find out why sending workshop show notes within 24 hours is crucial, and learn a practical approach to preparing and disseminating these resources promptly.
• Building a Resource Bank: Learn how to proactively compile and categorize a variety of resources, from books and podcasts to videos and articles, for easy access and reference.

Your name can feature on Leanne's Wall of Work Fame.

Just pre-order her book by 30 Sep 2026; and follow the details to claim your star.

Also, there are a ton of bulk order incentives as well!

Support the show

Send Leanne a message

Can you use space to create contrast, even in a virtual call? Today’s guest proves that you can!

We have an absolute world-leader in the field of nonverbal communication joining us on the show this week, Michael Grinder.

Michael has over 40 years of experience training thousands of groups. Known as the pioneer of nonverbal communication, Michael helps executives and educators assess people more accurately, connect with others more deeply, and build their charisma.

We explore how to use his famous model, the House of Communication in our workshops.

During this conversation, I picked up so many incredibly nuanced things you can do to boost the clarity of my communication in both virtual and face-to-face workshop environments.

The beauty of this conversation is how Michael talks about the large and the small, the micro and the macro, the philosophy around what you do, and then the micro: what type of chair you need, in order to do that.

We also delve into using space, and how to segment space within our environments.

About today’s guest: Michael Grinder

Michael Grinder has over 40 years of experience training thousands of groups. Known as the pioneer of nonverbal communication, Michael helps executives and educators assess people more accurately, connect with others more deeply, and build their charisma.

Two well-known experts personally trained Michael in the field of communication: Carl Rogers, the father of humanistic psychology, and Michael’s brother, Dr. John Grinder, co-founder of Neuro-Linguistic Programming. 

Over his career, Michael has written 14 books, which have been translated into seven languages. He’s a sought-after speaker for national and international events and has presented on seven continents. Some of Michael’s additional achievements include:

• National Director of NLP for Education
• Teacher of the year at three different schools in California, Washington, and Oregon.
• Recipient of the 2019 DACH “Mediator of the Year.”

Today, Michael continues to train individuals and companies, and volunteers with community organizations. He lives in Washington State with Gail, the love of his life.

In this episode you will learn:

• Importance of non-verbal elements in virtual workshop
• Tips to better utilise our voice in a workshop
• How you can “block/anchor” elements of the room during face-to-face and virtual workshops
• How to be confident during in-person and online workshops 
• How to use your hands effectively, anytime you communicate
• The difference between Intellectual safety vs. Emotional safety 
• ABC's of conveying a message for in-person or virtual facilitation

Resources mentioned in the show:

• Learn more about Michael Grinder on his website
• 5 Circles of Humanness
• Learn more about non-verbal communications tips by Michael Grinder on House of Communications
• Connect with Michael Grinder on LinkedIn
• Watch more non-verbal communications tips on Michael’s YouTube channel

Watch the video!

Your name can feature on Leanne's Wall of Work Fame.

Just pre-order her book by 30 Sep 2026; and follow the details to claim your star.

Also, there are a ton of bulk order incentives as well!

Support the show

Send Leanne a message

In this solo episode, host Leanne Hughes reflects on the world of event planning, MCing, and the unforeseen challenges that can arise during a charity event.

Watch the YouTube video

Highlights:

1. Committee Dynamics: The initial stages of planning, the process of narrowing down nominees, and how this committee stood out from typical group projects.
2. Communication Platforms: The value of asynchronous communication, the prominence of WhatsApp, and the advantages of immediate messaging.
3. Roles & Responsibilities: Discovering personal strengths, navigating through responsibilities, and how to tweak and adjust pre-existing templates.
4. Co-MCing Insights: Splitting the MC role, understanding the environment, ensuring audience engagement, and the importance of staying organized.
5. Challenges Faced: Unexpected hurdles like potential noise disruptions, technical difficulties, and overlooked details. How adaptability and quick thinking made the difference.
6. Event Dynamics: Balancing philanthropy with entertainment. Creating a unique event atmosphere likened to "philanthropy meets Shark Tank meets a cocktail party."
7. The Power of Introductions: How adding humor and connection can set the tone for the event and engage attendees.
8. Audience Engagement: Encouraging interaction, making connections, and using humor to lighten the mood.

Mentions:

• Organisations: Altru, Indigenous Futures Foundation, and What Ability. 
• 10x10 Philanthropy

Key Takeaways:

• Preparation is Key: Ensuring you're fully prepped not just for your role but also for potential challenges that could arise.
• Environment Matters: Recognizing the significance of being aware of the surroundings and adjusting accordingly.
• Open Communication: Ensuring there's clear communication between all key players, like co-hosts or other committee members.
• Engage & Interact: How engaging your audience and encouraging interaction can change the dynamic of an event.

Your name can feature on Leanne's Wall of Work Fame.

Just pre-order her book by 30 Sep 2026; and follow the details to claim your star.

Also, there are a ton of bulk order incentives as well!

Support the show

Send Leanne a message

Join host Leanne Hughes as she delves deep into the mind of a facilitator with guests John Norcross and Tricia Conyers from the "Every Little Model" podcast, this episode offers a genuine conversation exploring the intricacies of facilitation, sharing personal experiences, challenges, and models that guide their work.

Watch the conversation on YouTube.

What You Will Learn:

• The journey of becoming a facilitator: How John and Tricia began leading group conversations and meetings.
• The multifaceted roles in a workshop: From mindfulness to handling logistical aspects like air conditioning and room design.
• Key facilitation models:
  • Leanne's "SPARK Framework" from The Two-Hour Workshop Blueprint
  • Tricia's "Nine Dimensions of Engagement" emphasising the power of contrast in facilitation activities and debriefs.
• The art of balancing: How to juggle structure and flexibility in facilitation.
• John's experience emphasizing the importance of adapting to group needs rather than rigidly sticking to a process.

About Our Guests:
John Norcross

John is a change leadership professional who works at the intersection of human centered design, organizational effectiveness, strategy, and implementation. His 25+ years in consulting have taken him from Canada, to the UK, South America, the Caribbean, and to the US working across a range of industries, from energy and chemicals to life sciences and the public sector. 

John spent over a decade with Evolve Partners, an implementation consultancy, as a geography leader and as SVP for Accounts. He also co-founded a boutique change agency, BridgeOne LLC. Over the last couple of years, he has volunteered as a community change agent in Wisconsin, focused on advocating for public schools as well as diversity and inclusion efforts. He is also the co-host of the Every Little Model podcast, which focuses on exploring the models and frameworks we use to make sense of our organization and our world. 

Connect with John Norcross on LinkedIn

Tricia Conyers

Tricia Conyers is a leadership coach, facilitator, trainer, and podcaster. She helps individuals and teams to unlock their full potential and achieve breakthrough results. 

Through a combination of individual coaching, hybrid professional development programs, facilitated in-person experiential events, and her Every Little Model podcast, she helps leaders to think differently, recognize and leverage leadership moments, and develop the confidence and capabilities they need to succeed in today’s fast-paced business world. 

• Learn more about Tricia’s work here https://islandinspirations.co/
• Connect with Tricia on LinkedIn
• Check out her online program: Engagement Matters

To continue the conversation, join over 2,200 global facilitators in the free Facebook group, "The Flip Chart". 

Reach out to Leanne on LinkedIn or via email at [email protected]. 
Enjoy the episode!

Your name can feature on Leanne's Wall of Work Fame.

Just pre-order her book by 30 Sep 2026; and follow the details to claim your star.

Also, there are a ton of bulk order incentives as well!

Support the show

Send Leanne a message

How do you design fast? You create an underpinning framework! In today's episode, host Leanne Hughes shares why she loves frameworks SO MUCH, and some ideas on how to create your own.

Watch the video on YouTube.

Key Takeaways

• Gift Wrapping Information: Organising and packaging information in a way that's digestible and actionable.
• Overcoming Fears: You don't need a PhD or decades of experience to create a useful framework.
• Case Study - Pivot by Jenny Blake: A framework for career decision-making featuring Plant, Scan, Pilot, and Launch.
• Creating Your Framework: The story behind The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint book and the SPARK framework (Setup, Power-up, Activities, Review, Keep) for workshop design.
• The Utility of Frameworks: Beyond business and personal development, frameworks can serve as a general tool for clarity in any context.
• How to Create Your Own Framework: Practical tips, including using brainstorming buddies like ChatGPT.

Mentioned Resources

• "The Two-Hour Workshop Blueprint" (Book)
• "Pivot" by Jenny Blake
• ChatGPT
• "The Power of the 2 x 2 Matrix  (Book)
• Alan Weiss’s Framework for Sentient Strategy

Listener Challenge

Are you currently using frameworks in your work or life? Do you find them helpful? If you haven't tried, take a moment to think about how a framework could help in your current projects. Share your thoughts or your own frameworks with Leanne @leannehughes

Join us for more insightful discussions and practical advice on future episodes. Subscribe now, so you don't miss out!

Your name can feature on Leanne's Wall of Work Fame.

Just pre-order her book by 30 Sep 2026; and follow the details to claim your star.

Also, there are a ton of bulk order incentives as well!

Support the show