Guest: Nikki Bush — human potential & parenting expert, bestselling author of Future-Proof Yourself, Certified Speaking Professional, and the first woman inducted into the Professional Speakers Association of South Africa Hall of Fame.

Why this episode?

If you run virtual workshops and want fast, practical ways to read the room, dial up energy, and keep people with you (without circus tricks), this conversation is your new playbook. Nikki shares smart ways to “test the emotional temperature,” build connection through play, and lead like a facilitative speaker. Also: a parrot lands on her head mid–EXCO call (!) and the metaphor you’ll steal forever for presenting to an “invisible” audience.

In this episode, we cover:

The 3 human drivers to design for: attention, control, belonging
How to test emotional temperature in the first 5 minutes (exact poll prompts)
Why top execs are “just humans” (and how to design accordingly)
Turning a keynote into a facilitation—seamlessly
“Third-party sell”: why your message lands better when you’re not the boss
The Past / Present / Future thinking check (Caspar Craven) to align teams
Micro-moves that re-energise a Zoom room: elephant ears, cross-body “hookups,” breath resets, figure-8 eyes
The “glider” analogy: presenting to an invisible audience without losing presence
A tidy format for CEO panel Q&A right after your talk (no awkward transitions)
Crafting short, sexy soundbites and why media reps are reps that sharpen your saw

Try this in your next virtual session

Temperature Check Poll (90 sec):
“Right now I’m feeling… a) Overwhelmed/Confused b) Fearful c) Positive about future possibilities.”
Share results, reflect back what you see, tailor tone accordingly.
2-minute Brain Reset:

Elephant ears (uncurl ears to “switch on” listening)
Cross your arms/legs (cross-midline “hookups”)
Two slow breaths in/out
Figure-8 eye trace

Think Mix (Past/Present/Future):
Ask everyone to split 100% across past/present/future thinking. Compare in pairs. Who’s anchoring memory? Who’s driving momentum?

Links & resources

Connect with Nikki: nikkibush.com
Book: Future-Proof Yourself (Penguin Random House)
Casper Craven’s Be More Human (for the Past/Present/Future prompt)
Join my facilitator community, The Flipchart, on Facebook
My free weekly Substack: Work Fame — link in the show notes

*New* You're invited to join Leanne's free community, Work Fame.

Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com

P.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are some ways I can help:

Watch My 2025 Speaker Reel: Let's energise your next event.
Get My Book: Design your workshops fast using The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint.

Let's connect on all the channels:

Leanne Hughes on LinkedIn

Leanne Hughes on Instagram

Visit my website: leannehughes.com

Email me: hello@leannehughes.com

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Episode #81: 2019 St. Louis Q/A Part I