In this engaging conversation, Leanne Hughes, a communication specialist and host of First Time Facilitator, shares her journey from corporate talent management to solopreneur. She emphasizes blending fun and learning in workshops, while providing invaluable tips on effective facilitation and public speaking. Leanne discusses the unique challenges of keynote speaking versus facilitation, the importance of audience dynamics, and overcoming imposter syndrome. She also offers insights on communicating complex ideas for technical minds, making her approach both relatable and inspiring.
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Facilitation vs Keynote Speaking
Keynote speaking is a controlled, one-way communication in a kind environment. - Facilitation happens in a wicked environment full of unpredictable human variables requiring adaptability.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Be Audience-Centric Facilitator
Avoid treating facilitation like a lecture where you only deliver expertise without audience input. - Research your audience's experience level and create a safe space to share and learn from each other.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Make Training Content Your Own
Customize client-provided training content to your style and audience needs. - Use videos and relatable stories to emphasize points while keeping content flexible and engaging.
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In this book, David Epstein examines the success of generalists in various fields, including sports, arts, music, invention, forecasting, and science. He argues that generalists, who often find their path late and juggle multiple interests, are more creative, agile, and able to make connections that specialists cannot. Epstein uses stories and research studies to show that wide sampling and late specialization can be more valuable than early specialization, especially in complex and unpredictable environments. He also discusses the distinction between 'kind' and 'wicked' learning environments and the importance of balancing specialization with range for long-term success[2][4][5].
Steal the Show
From Speeches to Job Interviews to Deal-Closing Pitches, How to Guarantee a Standing Ovation for All the Performances in Your Life
Michael Port
Michael Port's "Steal the Show" is a comprehensive guide to delivering captivating presentations. The book emphasizes the importance of storytelling, authenticity, and connecting with the audience on an emotional level. It provides practical techniques for structuring presentations, managing nerves, and handling unexpected situations. Port's approach focuses on transforming presentations from mere information delivery into engaging experiences that resonate with the audience. The book is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their presentation skills, whether in business, education, or any other field.
Let's kick off episode 14 of the Presentation Boss Podcast, a conversation with a communication specialist! Today we have a conversation of a fellow Brisbane Podcaster, host of the First Time Facilitator, Leanne Hughes. We both listen to a lot of Leanne's podcast and Thomas has even been on the show.
We see that Leanne is a passionate learner, an interesting person to hang out with and an easy person to have a conversation with. As a specialist in facilitation, built over both her career and podcast interviews, we knew we had to have her on the show to discuss some of what she knows about training sessions with groups of people and speaking.
About Our Guest
Leanne Hughes is the host of the First Time Facilitator podcast and is based in Brisbane, Australia. She loves to shake up expectations and create unpredictable workshop experiences; her philosophy is 'Maximum fun, minimum buzzwords'.
Leanne has facilitated leadership, onboarding and team-building workshops across Australia, Canada, Indonesia and Mongolia and believes in a strengths-centred approach to learning and development. She has over 13 years' of experience across a range of industries including mining, government and tourism sectors.
Leanne delivers impactful and pragmatic leadership development, and soft-skill workshops for graduates through to mid-level leaders. In 2018, she was a finalist in the Australian Learning Impact awards for Learning Professional of the Year.
What You'll Learn
• What sparked the interest in speaking and professional development in Leanne.
• What exactly Leanne does in her role now
• A little bit about the personality profiling of us three presenters
• The key difference in the environment of speaking compared to facilitation
• How facilitating alone or with another presenter can be different
• Thomas' relationship status
• Why and when to prepare a surplus of content for workshops
• The difference between a fair facilitator and a great facilitator
• Framing a workshop before anyone evenr enters the room
• The balance between information and inspiration
Mentioned In The Show
• Leanne Hughes' website: https://www.leannehughes.com
• Leanne Hughes on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannehughes/
• The First Time Facilitator Podcast:
• Michael Port 'Steal the Show': http://stealtheshow.com/podcast/the-book/
Resources and Links
• Email us: podcast@presentationboss.com.au
• The Presentation Boss Podcast: https://presentationboss.com.au/podcast/
• Kate on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-norris/
• Thomas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-krafft/
• Presentation Boss on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/presentationboss/
• Presentation Boss on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/presentation-boss
Quotes From This Episode
• "Wow there's a role that if you can speak, it opens up doors and opportunities to go to other locations"
• "I might just have a crack with delivering this content"
• "I do not recommend leaving a employment, starting a business and thinking you're going to be successful"
• "I actually don't think it's that brave; more just give it a go"
• "There's so many uncontrolled variables"
• "When you are presenting, you're always trying to pick up on what the audience is thinking"
• "I have no problem giving a speech, I find that so much easier"
• "I ask myself, what's a stat, and what's a story on this topic?"
• "Facilitators don't need to be entertainers, but they need...
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