First Time Facilitator
Leanne Hughes
Recent Episodes
Watch our conversation on YouTube.
Alan Weiss returns to the podcast this week, for the third time, to (metaphorically) poke me in the eye again.
In this conversation, we riff on:
- Speedy workshop design
- How Alan turns an idea into an offer almost immediately
- How consultants need to focus on helping their clients innovate, and fail fast
- How consultants should market now (vs. 5 years ago)
- Interactions between AI and Humans, what works?
- The ageing population in the workforce and how to manage it
Connect with thousands of facilitators from all over the world in our free Facebook group called The Flipchart: / firsttimefacilitator
Love Alan’s shares? Contact him and let him know!
Learn more about the host, Leanne Hughes' work at https://www.leannehughes.com
Grab Leanne’s book, The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint: https://2hourwork.shop
Alan Resources
- Alan Weiss's Website: This is the primary source for accessing all of Alan Weiss's content, books, and workshops.
- Monday Morning Memo: This is a regular communication from Alan that provides insights and advice, likely a valuable resource for listeners interested in regular updates from him.
- A Minute with Alan: A series of one-minute videos where Alan Weiss shares quick insights. These videos are beneficial for viewers looking for short, impactful advice.
- Upcoming Workshops and Zoom Sessions: Specifically, any current or upcoming workshops or sessions that Alan mentioned during the interview, like his $100 workshop aimed at adding value for existing and prospective clients.
Today, I'm joined by Lisa Leong, a broadcaster, author, and facilitator.
Watch us chat on YouTube.
Her superpowers, which you'll hear very clearly in this episode, are curiosity and creativity.
She's a former IP, technology, and wine lawyer—yes, that's actually a thing. She caught the radio bug in 2001, which is exactly why I brought her on the show.
Wedelve into the parallels between having talk-back radio and getting listeners to call in to hosting workshops and being truly present.
We also talk about energy, meeting the room where it's at, and the best ways to prepare to be spontaneous—an awesome oxymoron, right?
And Lisa shares how she does this, even down to the detail, like her unique research approach, which includes a bit of LinkedIn stalking.
Lisa draws on her unique experiences, combined with design thinking and mindfulness practices, to bring a fresh approach to conversations and connection.
She presents on ABC Radio Melbourne on Sundays and also hosts 'This Working Life' on ABC Radio National, which is an awesome show.
Connect with Lisa Leong
Why you can't miss this episode
It's not every day you get to hear from someone who's mastered the art of engaging people through radio, law, and facilitation. Lisa's stories are not just inspiring—they're packed with actionable tips you can use to level up your facilitation game. Plus, her take on mindfulness and presence is a game-changer for anyone looking to connect more deeply with their audience.
Memorable Quotes:
- "Jumping into facilitation was like jumping into a whole new world with both feet. Scary, but thrilling!"
- "You don't have to be a Zen master to make mindfulness work for you in workshops."
- "Inclusivity isn't just nice to have; it's a must-have for unforgettable workshops."
- "Preparation meets improvisation—that's where the magic happens."
Resources Mentioned:
- Lisa's Favorite Mindfulness Apps
- "The Skilled Facilitator" by Roger Schwarz
In the First Time Facilitator podcast, host Leanne Hughes introduces guest Sally Prosser, a voice and confidence coach.
We riff on the concept of 'breveloquence', a portmanteau of brevity and eloquence, and how they aim to develop and use this tool in verbal and written forms.
We also take you behind the scenes of our new workshop called Get to the Point, which we're co-hosting in Brisbane on 16 April 2024.
Find out more about the Brisbane workshop and grab your ticket here.
Conversation time-stamps
- 00:31 The Importance of Brevity in Communication
- 02:17 The Power of Storytelling and Brevity
- 02:59 The Art of Asking Questions
- 03:43 The Value of Silence and Pausing
- 04:14 The Power of Personal Stories
- 04:40 The Role of Confidence in Communication
- 05:07 The Importance of Setting Rules in Communication
- 05:27 The Excitement of Co-Facilitating
- 06:05 What to Expect in the 'Get to the Point' Workshop
- 07:35 Closing Remarks and Workshop Details
About today's guest: Sally Prosser
Sally helps you fire-up your voice so you can share your light with the world.
Her background as a TV reporter, company spokesperson and speech & drama teacher gives her the ideal skill set to work with professionals, biz owners and corporate teams on -
⭐ Building confidence
🥊 Combating a fear of public speaking
❤ Producing a warm, trustworthy voice
🎤 Speaking with clarity and impact
🎥 Media Awareness and Spokesperson Training
In today's conversation, Phil Woods from Catalyst Strategy shares his journey from a legal career to becoming an independent strategy and team development consultant.
Watch our conversation on YouTube.
Phil outlines how he uses frameworks to guide organisations through transformation, draws on his command and activator strengths for maximum impact, and explains the importance of managing energy in workshops.
From strategic ideation to facilitating self-realisations, Phil offers valuable insights into his facilitation style and how he prioritises the participant experience.
Phil delivers impactful strategy and positive, strengths-orientated team transformation for a diverse mix of clients in Australia and abroad. He has a practical, no-nonsense style leveraging decades of real-world experience, and brings contagious energy and authentic passion to his client collaborations.
Conversation prompts:
- Introduction and Welcome
- Phil Woods: A Journey Through Career Phases
- The Power of Engaging Teams and Co-Creating Strategy
- The Art of Making Workshops Engaging
- Balancing Facilitation and Self-Discovery
- The Role of Powerful Questions in Facilitation
- Bringing the X Factor into Workshops
- Leveraging Strengths in Facilitation
- Maintaining Energy and Engagement in Workshops
- Final Thoughts and Advice for First-Time Facilitators
Connect with Phil Woods
Other things mentioned:
Tune in to discover how to design fast and deliver strong without the stress...using Chat GPT!
In this episode, host Leanne Hughes discusses five ways she uses chat GPT to improve and enhance her workshop experiences and delivery.
She shares examples of how she uses Chat GPT for image creation, generating questions, creating case studies, generating frameworks, and coming up with attractive titles for her workshops. You'll also hear some personal updates and experiences related to her work.
How are you using it to supercharge your workshop design?
Let us know in The Flipchart
Want Leanne's support for 30 days? Join Leanne on Demand
Grab her book, The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint: Design Fast. Deliver Strong. Without Stress.