First Time Facilitator

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It's finally here!

You can find out all about my new show (and my recent trip to Las Vegas) on my new podcast which is called: Leanne Hughes' Work and Live Large.

Please help out! Hit subscribe, share it on socials, send me feedback on what you think.

I'd love to hear from you!

Leanne

ps. You can search for the show in your favourite podcast apps, or simply visit Leanne Hughes' Work and Live Large

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

I'm flying to Las Vegas tomorrow! I booked my flights a few days ago. Why? Life is too short and YOLO. The reason I'm sharing that with you, is because it's a theme that strongly underpins this #friendsoffirsttimefacilitator conversation with Charles Hsuan from Flying Kite.

Charles chats to Leanne about her childhood. She relays how her natural penchant for planning awesome birthday parties as a kid blossomed into a fully-fledged business. Leanne also shares how her mixed upbringing taught her the value of time. She translates this to what she offers her clients in respect to having an intentional plan and design to make workshops 'pop'.

As an avid reader, Leanne appreciates good content. More so, she believes that good content should be packaged in a way that is meaningful.

Leanne also shares her journey from a corporate employee to an entrepreneur. She is a firm believer in dreaming big, embracing serendipitous moments, and taking chances.

This episode is full of book references, sprinkled with mention of Leanne’s sporting background. So, tune in to learn more about the Three C’s and the importance of focussing on results rather than methodology. And along with all the informative tidbits, you'll be treated to Leanne’s zest for life.

About your host: Charles Hsuan

Charles Hsuan from Flying Kite is a StorySelling Coach for business owners & sales professionals, he works with growing businesses with a strong culture of learning.

Charles believes customers buy with emotion and justify with fact. He also believes that every business owner and sales professional can benefit from a simple and practical framework (Micro-Scripts) that can teach them the skills of using storytelling as a sales tool.

Before starting Flying Kite in October 2018, Charles won multiple Sales Performer of The Year Awards as the digital advertising manager of Entrepreneur Magazine SA. It was during this period that he discovered and mastered storytelling as a powerful technique to exceed sales targets.

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

The legend that is Andy Storch, invited me as a guest speaker as part of his Talent Development Virtual Summit in 2020. I'm sharing this with you as a #friendsoffirsttimefacilitator replay episode because it really captures the essence of that time.

I listened back to this episode and it made me smile and reflect on what we were all going through in 2020 as workshop facilitators and trainers: Making that transition from face-to-face, to virtual sessions. Now, it's second nature. Back then - not so much!

About today’s host: Andy Storch
Andy Storch is an author, consultant, coach, speaker and facilitator specializing in helping clients turn strategy into action and people doing the best work of their lives. Andy’s purpose is to love and support his family and to impact the world by inspiring people to stop drifting, take control and live life with intention.

Andy is also the host of two podcasts, including The Talent Development Hot Seat and Andy Storch Show, and the co-founder and host of The Talent Development Think Tank Conference and Community.
Andy is also the author of book, Own Your Career Own Your Life, published in 2020.

Andy has taught strategy, sales, leadership, finance, and innovation to business leaders all over the world including companies like Salesforce.com, Oracle, Google, Box, Toyota,, State Farm, Red Bull, Deloitte, EY, KPMG, HP, Sony, Bechtel, Cisco, Tiffany & Co and others.

He holds an MBA from the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business where he served as President of the MBA program in 2008 and a BS from the University of Florida (Go Gators!)

Most importantly, Andy is a husband, father and friend who is on a mission to get the absolute most out of life and inspire others to do the same.
Podcasts and conferences: 

• Talent Development Hot Seat
• Andy Storch Show
• Talent Development Think Tank conference

Social Media handles:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andystorch/
• Instagram: @andy_storch
• Twitter: @andystorch

Connect With Leanne Hughes
leannehughes.com
Listen to Leanne’s Podcast
Follow Leanne on LinkedIn
Join Leanne’s Facebook Group: The Flipchart
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About Leanne Hughes

Chief Engagement Officer, trusted advisor, and virtual facilitator, Leanne Hughes is on a mission to stamp out boring workshops around the world. She helps clients maximise their potential by creating influential and contagious experiences. 

She has facilitated and led workshops across the globe.

Jump on the Booked Out Facilitator waitlist to book out five workshops for every workshop you deliver.

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

The word facilitation comes from the Latin root “facilitis” which means: something that is done easily.

In today’s day and age where there are more online meetings, workshops, trainings, and webinars, it’s vital to have someone in the room to create engagement and ensure a smooth flow of the program to ensure a great outcome is achieved. 

In this episode, Leanne Hughes – expert facilitator, podcast host, and speaker, shares with us her expertise on what it takes to be an effective facilitator, how to manage expectations when facilitating, and her biggest mistakes and lessons learned.

Improving your own facilitation skills and knowing when to bring in an expert facilitator is an essential investment for participant experience and engagement, and ultimately your company’s growth.

In this episode, we cover:

• What is facilitation? 
• Creating psychological safety
• Managing expectations when facilitating
• Feedback forms 
• Leanne’s biggest mistakes and learnings as a facilitato
• Self-care for facilitators 

Resources Mentioned

• The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker
• Loom
• The Coaching Habit
• Million Dollar Maverick

Quotes:

• “The event has begun before it has actually begun.” – Priya Parker
• “That which you can plan is too small for you to live.” – David Whyte

Connect With Lisa Evans
Your Host Lisa Evans is one of Australia’s leading Executive Public Speaking Coaches and Corporate Storytelling Trainers. If you would like help with training your team in soft skills, public speaking and business storytelling, get in touch with Lisa. Lisa offers a complimentary 30-minute strategy session to find out if you are a good fit to work together.
Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram
Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn

Connect With Leanne Hughes
leannehughes.com
Listen to Leanne’s Podcast
Follow Leanne on LinkedIn
Join Leanne’s Facebook Group: The Flipchart
Connect with Leanne on Instagram

About Leanne Hughes

Chief Engagement Officer, trusted advisor, and virtual facilitator, Leanne Hughes is on a mission to stamp out boring workshops around the world. She helps clients maximise their potential by creating influential and contagious experiences. 

She has facilitated and led workshops across the globe under several industries including mining, tourism, and vocational education and training. She is also the 2019 Breakout Speaker at the Gallup #CliftonStrengths Summit in Omaha, Nebraska, the 2018 Australian finalist for Learning Professional of the Year, and host of the First Time Facilitator podcast.

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

Hello friends! Over the next few weeks, I'm sharing podcast episode where I've been the guest! Today, you're listening to an epic conversation I had on my friend Petra Zink's podcast, Your Brand, Your Future.

Quick announcements:

• Join the Booked Out Facilitator on demand program (email [email protected])
• Check out Beyond Bureaucracy - I'm partnering with Brendon Baker on a program to help you ignite lasting change in your organisation
• Subscribe to my newsletter
• Grab Petra's new book: Trusted Authority
• Join The Flipchart community on Facebook
• Show notes for today

In this conversation, Petra and I discuss:

• how to identify opportunities that have potential and can be monetised
• what to do in the lead up to monetising an idea
• her roadmap and how she prepared for the transition  
• the power (and necessity) of a strong and supportive network
• ways to turn a conversation into a commercial opportunity
• ... and a whole lot more!

About today's host:
Petra Zink is a certified Personal Branding & Digital Strategist, Speaker, Coach & Consultant - specialised in helping corporate professionals go from expert in their company to trusted authority in their industry by building strong Personal Brands.

She is the Founder of impaCCCt and The360Talent.Co - both companies are designed to future-proof individuals and organisations through coaching, online courses, training and practical keynotes. 

Petra combines 10 years in Brand and Product Marketing with 5 years in recruitment and has developed a blueprint that 400+ professionals have used to clarify, communicate and commercialise their Personal Brand so they can establish themselves as the authority in their space.

Her programs are designed for busy Professionals who want to learn how to stand out in their marketplace by turning their expertise into real impact.

Clients include industry leading leaders in digital, technology, legal and financial industries, entrepreneurs, and corporates who understand the importance of building strong Personal Brands to heighten their Company Brand. 

Petra is also the host of the Your Brand. Your Future podcast show, a mix of mini masterclasses and interviews with global thought leaders on the strategies and tactics to becoming the authority and using it to drive an industry, a conversation, or a new way of thinking.

Petra specialises in future-proofing individuals and organisations by helping them transform their expertise and authority into compelling Personal Brands. 

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’s The Junket retreat? It’s a small, awesome event I’m hosting down the Gold Coast in February 2022.

After months of thinking and talking about it, I’ve decided to jump right in and host my first, ever off-site retreat!

Planning an event is, as I share in this episode, a decision-making factory on steroids. 
There are so many decisions, where do you even start?

I share my process for designing this retreat across these topics:

• Mindset
• Intention/purpose
• Naming your event
• Validating your event: interest vs Interest
• Structure
• Food and drink
• Crafting an invitation letter
• X-factor
• The C Word 

Your invite to come along!
Take a look at The Junket retreat invitation letter.
There’s only 7 spots remaining, and I’d love to hang out with you at The Gold Coast.

Click here for show notes

• Send me an email: [email protected]
• Let’s connect on LinkedIn
• Jump into The Flipchart group on Facebook

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

It's that time of year when you're probably reflecting and planning what 2022 looks like for you.

If so, this is the perfect episode for you. It's a #fromthevault release of Episode 109 with Scott Armstrong.

Scott is Canadian and he started his career as a corporate banker who was deeply frustrated and knew there had to be more for than pushing paper. He went on to work at Canada’s largest rehabilitation centre for abandoned exotic animals. Swimming with jaguars, running with wolves, playing in the snow with tigers, helping an owl take flight again. 

After that he started helping people create their own Limitless adventure. Over the last 20 years he worked with over 2000 businesses and individuals to help them create and grow. His company Limitless is now a group of passionate people with enough life perspective and skill sets to help you dream, create and live a life that satisfies like nothing else.

In this episode, we talk about what left him to pivot and his fascination with getting others to lead limitless lives - and when he says limitless he means it, one of the images on the front page of his website, scottarmstronglimitless.com is an image jumping out of an aircraft. 

If you are soul searching, driving to work, feeling like you’re stuck in the rat race, wondering what on earth how to find your purpose, you’ll find this interview and Scott’s work very appealing.

As a business owner, he also leads by example and shares a pretty vulnerable point about saying no to a job that he would have leapt to deliver recently. It’s part of staying strong and connected to his decision on his area of focus. He also talks through some very helpful Sales tactics if you are leading your own facilitation business at the back end of this conversation.

In this episode you will learn:

• How to be brave enough to follow your passion and live your full potential
• How to be open to learning and vulnerability during career transition
• Finding your niche and stamping your expert as an authority
• How to to get more sales as facilitator

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 an encore episode! 

There is no one else I’d “open up” the podcast for, than the one and only, Jenny Blake. 

I shared this interview with the Booked Out Facilitator group, and I think it’s the perfect conversation to share with you today, as we close off the year and look to scheme + dream what we work on in 2022.

This is the first interview Jenny has done to promote her fabulous (and much-needed) new book, Free Time: Lose the Busywork, Love your Business. It’s a playbook to free your mind, time, and team for your best work. It is an invitation to reimagine how you run your business.

I want to share an excerpt about her book, so you get a sense of what you’re in for in today’s chat:

“Your time is far more precious than money.  It is your presence, your memories, your quality of life. For many, growth fuelled by added stress is not worth the tradeoff. You have an urge to simplify and streamline.  Ask yourself: are you consistently doing the work that you and only you can do? If you are burdened by busywork, the bottleneck in the way of your company’s profit and potential, this book is for you."  

In this conversation, we also talk about choosing your niche, and how to build a business without social media. Jenny also takes us behind the scenes and shares how she uses Notion to capture and curate her ideas.

After you listen, ask yourself this question: “What do you need a permission to do?”

Jenny Blake is an author, podcaster, and keynote speaker who loves helping business owners move from friction to flow through smarter systems, powered by Delightfully Tiny Teams. Her third book, Free Time: Lose The Busywork, Love Your Business, launches March 22, 2022. Jenny’s previous book, Pivot: The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One, won the Axiom award for best business book in the careers category in 2016. Licensing clients for her Pivot Programs include Google and CHANEL.

Grab JB's preorder offer: Free Time on a Buy One, Get One, Gift One
Click here for show notes.

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

This week's #fromthevault episode is with the delightful Mel Kettle. I'm replaying it because I spoke to her recently, and it was a great reminder of how great she is at navigating the two roles of 1) Being an expert and 2) Being a facilitator.

I got off the phone to her feeling invigorated - she asks superb questions, and has a wealth of experience. You'll get to hear all of that today!

Mel Kettle is a communication and engagement expert, speaker, author, facilitator, trainer and mentor. We recorded this chat in Brisbane in 2019, and she threw down a video challenge on that show, which is even more relevant today.

Click here for show notes.

In this podcast we discuss her work with social media and how she prepares and plans for upcoming facilitation events. Mel was also lucky enough to attend Social Media Marketing world in 2019, and she shares what she learnt from that. We again discuss video - you can’t escape the conversation around video these days! 

About today's guest: Mel Kettle

Mel Kettle is an expert at communication that builds trust. She understands how to create strategies that have immediate, meaningful impact. Like baking a cake, it’s essential to have the right ingredients to communicate with clarity, compassion and consistency.

She has over two decades of experience in strategic communication and leadership and a unique educational combination of a Master of Business (Marketing) and a Master of Public Health.

She has a podcast called This Connected Life, author of The Social Connection  

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Mel Kettle's website
• Mel's book, 'The Social Association'
• Mel Kettle on Instagram

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

I'm interviewing one of the world's legends today!

Michael Bungay Stanier's (MBS) newest book, "How to Begin: Start Doing Something that Matters" is now available for pre-order.
Find out more about Michael over at mbs.works
Watch our video interview in Brisbane on YouTube

Click here for show notes

Michael Bungay Stanier helps people be a force for change. He’s best known for his book The Coaching Habit which has sold close to a million copies and has thousands of 5-star reviews online. His book The Advice Trap focuses on what it takes to tame your Advice Monster.

He founded Box of Crayons, a learning and development company that helps organizations move from advice-driven to curiosity-led. They’ve trained hundreds of thousands of managers to be more coach-like and their clients range from Microsoft to Gucci.

He left Australia about 30 years ago to be a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University … where his only significant achievement was falling in love with aCanadian … which is why he now lives in Toronto, having spent time in London and Boston.

Balancing out these moments of success, he was banned from his high school graduation for “the balloon incident” … was sued by one of his Law School professors for defamation … and his first published piece of writing was a Harlequin Romance-esque story involving a misdelivered letter … and called The Male Delivery.

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• Find out about Leanne's work at leannehughes.com

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