First Time Facilitator

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Welcome to an enchanting episode of our podcast! In this captivating conversation, we bring you a first-time wizard on the show—Dr. Jason Fox—a wizard-philosopher disguised as a motivational speaker and leadership advisor. His expertise lies in guiding clever teams through the complexities of their quests.

With an impressive list of clients that includes Fortune 500 companies such as Microsoft, HP, Novartis, Red Bull, Cisco, Johnson & Johnson, Toyota, and Honda, Dr. Fox has established himself as a trusted advisor to senior leadership teams worldwide.

During our discussion, we embark on a magical journey through various topics. We explore the delicate balance between nurturing ideas and valuing individuals, the importance of holding space for emergent insights, and the personal rituals and preparations that enhance facilitation sessions.

We also delve into the struggle with titles and labels, seeking more meaningful and playful ways to communicate one's role and expertise. Moreover, we uncover the concept of channeling the muse, allowing intuitive insights to guide conversations and workshops, resulting in transformative experiences.

Dr. Fox has shared his wisdom as a lecturer at three universities and is the bestselling author of "The Game Changer" and "How to Lead a Quest." His remarkable ability to engage skeptical audiences and senior leaders who have "seen it all before" has made him a sought-after keynote speaker.

When not liberating the world from the delusion of progress, you'll find Dr. Fox residing in an old chocolate factory in Melbourne, Australia, alongside an illustrator-veterinarian and a feline companion. His passions outside of his work include extreme sports like reading, sun-avoidance, and indulging in the art of coffee snobbery.

Prepare to be captivated by this thought-provoking conversation filled with enchanting insights and practical wisdom. Join us as we uncover the secrets of working with groups, gaining clarity, embracing the power of intuition, and unleashing your own magical potential.

Resources mentioned:

1. Choose One Word: Jason Fox's program focused on finding one word to serve as a fuzzy contextual beacon. Choose One Word
2. "Awakening from the Meaning Crisis" by John Vervaeke: A 50-part YouTube series exploring the concept of meaning and its implications in society. Awakening from the Meaning Crisis
3. Marshall Rosenberg's Nonviolent Communication: A philosophy and communication method emphasizing empathic listening and effective dialogue. Nonviolent Communication
4. Jason's websites: Dr Jason Fox or FoxWizard

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In this episode, host Leanne Hughes welcomes Mel Loy, the founder and host of Hey, Mel Comms and Training, a small agency fueled by boundless energy. Mel has over 20 years of experience in communications across various sectors and specializes in building communication capability through coaching workshops and creative thinking. She is also a co-owner of a gym and the president of the Queensland chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators.

What You Will Learn:

In this far-ranging conversation, Mel shares her journey from working in corporate communications to becoming a freelance consultant and workshop facilitator. 

You’ll also hear us discuss:

• The importance of staying calm in crisis communication and workshop facilitation, and how to manage unpredictable situations effectively.
• Insights into building communication capability through coaching workshops and creative thinking, based on over 20 years of experience in the field.
• The parallels between crisis communication and facilitating sessions, including the need for composure, problem-solving, and quick adaptation.
• How being a group fitness instructor can enhance facilitation skills, including the ability to energise participants, create connections, and handle unexpected challenges.
• Tips for preparing for workshops and managing the tension between designing content and ensuring a smooth, confident delivery, including time-blocking, creating run sheets, and prioritising self-care.

About the Guest: Mel Loy
Mel Loy is an expert in change, crisis, and internal communications, demonstrating a strong passion for fostering capability within teams and organisations. With a focus on creating better stakeholder experiences through effective communication, trust-building, and reputation management, Mel, along with the team at Hey Mel! Communications & Training, has collaborated with numerous prominent corporate and non-profit brands in Australia. 

Mel brings over 20 years of experience in the communications and public relations sector, having worked in the UK and Australia across diverse corporate, non-profit, and government organisations. 

Episode Links:

• LinkedIn: Mel Loy on LinkedIn
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heymel.comms/?hl=en
• Website: Hey Mel! Comms and Training 
• Podcast: Less Chatter, More Matter
• Flip Chart Facebook Group: Join the community of facilitators at https://www.facebook.com/groups/flipchart/
• My new book is out: The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint: Design Fast. Deliver Strong. Without Stress.
• Write an Amazon review, and I'll invite you to two webinars (value $299 each). 

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!

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In this episode of the First Time Facilitator podcast, host Leanne Hughes interviews Dr. Mechelle Roberton, a self-confessed talent development nerd and certified professional in talent development. 

Leanne met Mechelle at a conference and was drawn to her energy and expertise in organisational culture. Mechelle shares her journey of creating opportunities in the talent development field, emphasizing the importance of passion and preparation in workshop delivery. 

She also discusses the need for organisations to engage frontline employees by seeking their input and addressing their most innate needs. 

Mechelle's career history includes leading an L&D team for a financial institution, working in talent development roles in healthcare, and teaching over 500 corporate courses. She is an experienced speaker and workshop facilitator, passionate about helping organisations and people achieve effective learning and teaching for adults.

Key Takeaways:

• Mechelle emphasizes the importance of creating opportunities rather than just finding them, sharing examples of how she got her start in delivering workshops by volunteering her services.
• Mechelle prepares for workshops by immersing herself in the topic and finding ways to fall in love with it, regardless of the content.
• The need for organisations to engage frontline employees by seeking their input and addressing their most innate needs, rather than focusing solely on superficial engagement activities.
• Mechelle's journey in talent development includes leading an L&D team for a financial institution, working in talent development roles in healthcare, and teaching over 500 corporate courses.

About the Guest:

Dr. Mechelle Roberthon is a certified professional in talent development and an experienced career and professional development instructor. She holds a doctorate in education and a master's degree in education with a specialization in training and performance improvement. Mechelle is passionate about effective learning and teaching for adults and has a wealth of experience in the talent development field.

To connect with Michelle and learn more about her work, visit her website at drmechellerob.com.

Episode Links:

• Flip Chart Facebook Group: Join the community of facilitators at https://www.facebook.com/groups/flipchart/
• Dr. Mechelle Roberton's website
• Connect with Mechelle on LinkedIn

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!

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In this episode, host Leanne Hughes welcomes Jo Fitzgerald, from Jo Fitz Consulting to discuss intentionality in your workshop design.

Jo shares her insights and experiences from her career, highlighting the importance of creating a supportive environment and sharing responsibility for a successful workshop, as well as techniques for being present and managing moments (rather than automatically trying to fix issues).

They discuss the challenges of facilitating and the ongoing learning process involved. Jo also shares a personal story about a negative workshop experience and how it shaped her approach as a facilitator.

What You Will Learn:

• The similarities between teaching children and working with adults in a workshop setting
• How to use an intention sheet to be intentional and disciplined in your facilitation, reflecting on your desired presence and impact on the team.
• Ways to cultivate a sense of energy and avoid exhaustion after workshops, including the practice of staying in the room
• How to create a dynamic workshop environment that is engaging and fun, even for serious topics, by incorporating tools like check-ins and movement activities to promote physical engagement and foster creativity.
• Creating a holistic learning experience by considering participants' backgrounds and community context
• The importance of establishing connection and allowing participants to take ownership of their learning
• Managing the mindset of wanting to continuously improve and reflecting on workshop outcomes

About Jo Fitzgerald:
Jo  is a facilitator and leadership coach based in New Zealand. With a background in teaching and senior leadership roles in the public sector, Jo has extensive experience in bringing diverse teams together to achieve positive outcomes. 

She has been a senior leader in the public sector working on big, hard, important programmes that aimed to make things better for people. Throughout her career, she's  always tried to work with other people by finding areas of agreement even when there may have seemed to be insurmountable disagreement.

Jo prioritises collaboration and continuous learning, aiming to help leaders and teams better understand themselves and each other. 

Jo is a Gallup certified strengths coach and is passionate about facilitating workshops that empower participants to reach their full potential.

Connect with Jo Fitzgerald:

• Website: jofitzconsulting.co.nz
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jo-fitzgerald

Join the Conversation:
Join the global community of facilitators in The Flipchart, a free Facebook group with over 2,000 members. Connect with like-minded professionals, share insights, and continue the conversation about facilitation.

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!

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Today I'm chatting to you from my living room (watch the YouTube version)!

In this episode, Leanne Hughes explores the parallels between writing a book and designing a workshop. She shares her journey in the creation of her upcoming book, 'The Two Hour Workshop Blueprint,' highlighting her learnings, challenges, and the rewarding process of capturing her years of facilitating experience.

Listen to Leanne unpack these conversational riffs:

• Decision-making demystified: What are the crucial forks in the road when designing a workshop and writing a book?
• Break free from technology's grip: How can you get in a state where you enjoy the process?
• Mission or meandering? How can you give your content purpose and direction?
• Facilitation or training? What sets these two workshop roles apart?
• Dodge the info-dump: How can you cherry-pick content for impact and results?
• Content design – a solo act? How can early feedback reshape and refine your work?

Also, Leanne's book The 'Two-Hour Workshop Blueprint' is out next week! Get insights about Leanne's book "The Two-Hour Workshop Blueprint" and its process, purpose, and how it can guide you in running a workshop of any duration.

Let me know your thoughts, let's connect on LinkedIn or email me [email protected]

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 episode, we delve into the world of design and facilitation with our guest, Ben Crothers, who brings over 20 years of experience in the field. Ben shares his journey from being a designer to becoming a facilitator, driven by his desire to improve the often lackluster experience of design critique sessions. 

We explore the importance of intentional facilitation, the need for questioning the status quo, and the role of visuals in creating better moments and driving productive meetings. Join us as we uncover the power of design in shaping not just how we work, but also how we collaborate and build a better world.

What You Will Learn:

• The spirit of design: How design seeks to create a better world and improve collaboration.
• The evolution of Ben's role: How he stumbled into facilitation through redesigning design critique sessions.
• The impact of intentional facilitation: How being intentional in meeting design can transform the way teams collaborate and achieve outcomes.
• Overcoming resistance to change: Encouraging individuals to question established meeting norms and create new approaches that drive productivity.
• The importance of visuals: How incorporating visuals, such as graphic recording and facilitation, can enhance understanding, spark creativity, and facilitate group decision-making.
• Empowering individuals with simple drawing skills: Exploring the benefits of drawing to communicate ideas effectively and solve problems collaboratively.

About Ben Crothers:
Ben has been a facilitator for over 15 years, and a designer for longer than that. He's helped teams from a broad range of organisations and domains - from Leukaemia Foundation to Parliament of Australia, from Atlassian to Westpac - to solve problems, formulate strategy, and work better together.

A big part of how Ben works has to do with incorporating visuals and visualisation. He regularly does graphic recording (or scribing) at events and meetings, and likes to map conversations on the whiteboard or in online collaboration spaces. This helps to bring ideas to life, and to help everyone listen better, and make better connections throughout complex discussions.

He is currently Principal Facilitator at Bright Pilots (his own facilitation consultancy), and the author of three books, including Presto Sketching: Simple Drawing for Brilliant Product Thinking and Design.

Ben's books:
Presto Sketching - Amazon / Booktopia / Angus & Robertson  
Draw in 4 - Amazon / Booktopia / Angus & Robertson / Kobo
50 Remote-Friendly Icebreakers - Website / Deluxe colour PDF version / Apple Books / Amazon / Kobo

Where to find Ben online:
bencrothers.com
brightpilots.com
On Instagram: bencrothers / wearebrightpilots
On Twitter: bencrothers / brightpilots
On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bencrothers/

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!

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In this episode, Leanne has a conversation with Zaretta Hammond, an educator, author, and national speaker, who is renowned for her expertise in culturally responsive teaching and learning. Zaretta shares her insights on how to unleash the brilliance in every student, particularly those who come from marginalized backgrounds. She explores the importance of understanding cultural and linguistic diversity in the classroom, and provides practical strategies to create an inclusive and empowering learning environment.

What You Will Learn:

• The significance of culturally responsive teaching and learning
• Strategies to tap into the brilliance of students from marginalized backgrounds
• How to create an inclusive and empowering learning environment
• Understanding the impact of culture on student learning
• Cultivating student agency and ownership of learning
• Practical approaches to differentiate instruction for diverse learners
• Leveraging neuroscience research to enhance teaching practices

Guest Bio - Zaretta Hammond:

Zaretta Hammond is an educational consultant and author who focuses on culturally responsive teaching and learning. She has been a teacher, coach, and school leader, and her work centers around empowering educators to meet the needs of students from diverse backgrounds. 

Zaretta is the author of the critically acclaimed book "Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students." She is also a sought-after speaker and facilitator, sharing her expertise in workshops and conferences worldwide.

Links to Zaretta Hammond's work:

1. Website: Zaretta Hammond's Website
2. Book: "Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain"
3. Twitter: @Ready4rigor
4. YouTube Channel: Zaretta Hammond on YouTube

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!

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In this episode, Leanne chats with Anamaria Dorgo, a multifaceted professional in the Learning & Development (L&D) sector. She is the founder of "L&D Shakers", a mentor, community builder, facilitator, and currently the Head of Community at Butter.us. We discuss the importance of community building, engagement, and the power of simplicity in facilitation.

Listen in to hear is riff on these topics...

• Engagement, and how its meaning can differ among individuals. There's a consensus that engagement can naturally ebb and flow, and it's okay if there isn't always a dramatic peak.
• Anamaria highlights the importance of understanding the purpose of your community. Starting small, incorporating feedback, and gradually shaping the community based on this feedback are key to building a successful community.
• She underscores the power of brevity and the use of timeboxing and simple slides to keep discussions on track.
• We explore how Anamaria is building her brand, both professionally and as part of the L&D Shakers community.
• We also discuss Anamaria's freelance work, where she partners with companies and NGOs to create impactful and memorable learning experiences. Her approach includes challenging and rethinking traditional methods, exploring new avenues, and highlighting successful outcomes.

About Our Guest

Anamaria Dorgo is a Learning Experience Designer, Facilitator, and the Head of Community at Butter. With degrees in psychology and human resources, she has a lifelong commitment to learning, resulting in her creating engaging learning experiences for a global community.

In her free time, Anamaria nurtures a Learning & Development community of practice called L&D Shakers. Through her role at Butter.us, she is striving to build a platform that facilitates collaboration and professional growth amongst facilitators, workshoppers, trainers, design thinkers, and consultants.

Links and Resources

• Learn more about Butter
• See the Butter Community in action
• Connect with Anamaria on LinkedIn

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!

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In this episode, Leanne Hughes engages in a captivating conversation with Douglas Ferguson, the founder of Voltage Control facilitation academy.

Watch the interview on YouTube.

They dive into various topics, including the art of facilitation, the concept of Integrated Autonomy, and the potential impact of AI on the field. Douglas shares insights from his experience in software development, his passion for music, and his deep understanding of facilitation.

About our guest: Douglas Ferguson:
Douglas Ferguson is the founder of Voltage Control, a facilitation academy that supports facilitators in honing their craft and building their business. With a background in software development and a passion for music, Douglas brings a unique perspective to facilitation. He is known for his expertise in liberating structures and is constantly exploring new ways to elevate the facilitation experience.

Episode highlights:

• Understanding the concept of Integrated Autonomy: Douglas explains how Integrated Autonomy, derived from liberating structures, allows organizations to embrace both integration and autonomy. He highlights the paradoxical nature of this approach and explores how individuals can apply it to navigate challenges effectively.
• The importance of intentionality in facilitation: Douglas emphasizes the need for facilitators to be mindful of their choices and the impact they have on participants. He shares how he crafts his workshops and sessions based on specific goals and desired outcomes, ensuring that each activity serves a purpose.
• The future of AI in facilitation: Douglas sheds light on the potential of AI in facilitation, including the synthesis and perception capabilities it can offer. He discusses the emergence of chat UI and the possibility of AI-driven tools enhancing collaboration and connection in workshops and meetings.

Quotes:

• "Integrated Autonomy allows organizations to be both integrated and autonomous by showing up differently at different times and in different ways."
• "Facilitators are there to guide, to coach, to make things easier, not to do everything themselves. We are the guide on the side, not the sage on the stage."
• "The more we embrace AI and automation, the more we can focus on what it truly means to be human and lean into the psychology of connection and relating."

Links and Resources:

• Voltage Control: Website
• Free resources and templates for facilitators: Voltage Control Resources
• Douglas Ferguson on LinkedIn: Profile
• "Control the Room" Podcast: Listen Here

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!

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In this episode, host Petra Zink, Leanne Hughes, and Dr Maike Neuhaus cover a range of topics related to staying current with emerging technologies, overcoming fear and uncertainty, and building a unique personal brand.

This is a warm-up episode because First Time Facilitator, a limited series edition is returning in late May, in the lead-up to Leanne's book release: The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint.

Here are 10 key takeaways from the conversation:

1. It's important to stay up-to-date with emerging technologies and explore new tools and resources to stay ahead of the curve.
2. Cognitive biases can make us feel like we are immune to the effects of economic and technological changes.
3. Optimism and hope can be adaptive, even if they are not always realistic.
4. We need to be open-minded and look for opportunities to adapt and learn in the face of disruption and change.
5. It's important to develop a clear framework or method for delivering results in your work.
6. Working in public and sharing half-baked ideas can lead to better collaboration and innovation.
7. It's important to give yourself dedicated thinking time to tackle complex problems and generate new ideas.
8. Having fun and enjoying the learning process can help us stay engaged and creative.
9. The proximity principle can help us learn from the source and build relationships with experts in our field.
10. Creating a unique personal brand and specializing in a specific area can help us stand out and build a successful career or business.

Connect with Leanne, Petra and Maike on LinkedIn.

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