Leanne on Demand Daily with Leanne Hughes

Tonight’s episode wasn’t meant to be this one. I was planning to reflect on my Virgin Australia workshop (and my friend Sally Prosser’s brilliant cameo on voice skills)… but then dinner happened.I’ve got this little ritual: when I’ve had a big delivery week, I treat myself to a vegetarian plate from the local Greek takeaway. It’s my cozy, carb-loaded indulgence — chips, pita, zucchini fritters, the lot. And after five years of reliable, perfect orders, tonight they messed it up. Twice.Here’s what went down, why I actually drove back to the shop (so unlike me), what Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler” has to do with pita bread, and the lesson I’ll never forget about trust, accountability, and always checking the bag.Was I overreacting? Maybe. But it made for one delicious dinner — and a solid daily podcast story.Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame.Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.comP.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are some ways I can help:Watch My 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 LinkedInLeanne Hughes on InstagramVisit my website: leannehughes.comEmail me: hello@leannehughes.comWould you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio.

Today’s episode is a wild update on something I experimented with a few weeks back: my “job interview with the enemy.”If you missed it, I shared how I jumped on a tool called Tavi.ai that lets you do job interviews with AI avatars. Yep—imagine logging into Zoom and instead of a person on the other side, it’s a robot interviewing you for a role. Clunky? Sure. Fascinating? Absolutely.When I posted about it, I copped a bit of backlash. People weren’t too happy that I was “promoting” AI in recruitment. And I get it—it’s confronting. But my counterpoint was: why are we so quick to defend the current system? Recruitment is already broken. Ghosting, endless delays, keyword-based screening… dumpster fire, right?Fast forward to today, and I stumbled across a post from Greg Eisenberg that absolutely floored me. A massive study out of the Philippines compared AI interviews with human interviews. The results? Candidates interviewed by AI got more job offers, higher retention, and preferred the process nearly 8 out of 10 times.Why? Consistency. No skipped questions, no unconscious bias, no “oh I’m tired at 4pm, let’s rush this.” Plus, reports of gender discrimination were cut in half. For lower-scoring candidates, AI felt less judgmental and more structured—more about substance than small talk.Mind. Blown. 🤯This raises huge questions:Will AI level the playing field in hiring?What happens when interviews stop being about charm and bias and start being about consistent responses?Could this rewire who actually gets access to opportunities?Here's a link to the study.I’d love to hear from you: Would you rather be interviewed by a human… or an AI?Thanks for listening, and I’ll speak to you tomorrow.Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame.Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.comP.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are some ways I can help:Watch My 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 LinkedInLeanne Hughes on InstagramVisit my website: leannehughes.comEmail me: hello@leannehughes.comWould you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio.

I was driving the other day, catching up on some old Alan Weiss recordings (yep, I upload them into my own private podcast feed so I actually listen to them instead of letting them die in a Dropbox folder).One simple but powerful Consulting 101 lesson hit me right between the eyes again: define your Min and Max before every conversation.Alan calls it MinMax — your minimum measure of success and your maximum. It sounds obvious, but most of us don’t do it. We just show up to a meeting thinking it’s win/lose, binary. Either they ask for a quote = win, or they don’t = lose. But there are so many other outcomes that count as success — building rapport, identifying the economic buyer, getting a referral, or just knowing the next step.Here’s the kicker: without those guardrails, you can’t really steer the conversation. Alan uses the metaphor of a boat in a channel — the tides and winds (aka other people’s agendas) will push you off course unless you’re steering deliberately.This applies everywhere: prospect calls, stakeholder meetings, even internal conversations. When you set your MinMax, you shift from “that was a waste of time” to “that was a success on the continuum.”I’ll be sharing this idea in a workshop later this week, but wanted to remind myself (and you!) here first.✨ In this episode:Why “binary wins” set you up for disappointmentAlan Weiss’ MinMax framework explainedPractical examples you can apply to client calls and team meetingsHow to steer conversations back on track without being pushySign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame.Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.comP.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are some ways I can help:Watch My 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 LinkedInLeanne Hughes on InstagramVisit my website: leannehughes.comEmail me: hello@leannehughes.comWould you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio.

I’m joined by Mark McKeon—ex-AFL player, high-performance coach with Collingwood, creator of The Go Zone and Everyday Counts. We dig into the real-world parallels between elite sport and facilitation: preparation, energy management, room design, AV (yes, batteries!), and what it truly means to be audience-centric.Why listenIf you want practical, field-tested ways to run the room (from set-up to mindset) and still have fuel left in the tank, this one is gold.What we coverSerendipity to stage: How a one-off corporate talk turned into 1,400+ presentations.Sport → Facilitation: The “you on game day” mindset and why it matters when you’re the one with the ball (aka the mic).Start with the end in mind: The magic-wand briefing question: “If this goes perfectly, what three outcomes happen?”Audience-centric delivery: Get out of your own head; read the room; respond to cues (phones out = change it up).Split-brain skill: Stay present and steer the session toward outcomes—at the same time.Room craft (the unsexy advantage):Avoid long, skinny rooms; position yourself in the middle if you must.Always use a stage for big rooms.Ditch the lectern; go lapel mic (hands free).Ask AV for fresh batteries (non-negotiable).Prefer rounds, open at the front for smaller groups; block off the back in large rooms so people sit closer.Expect the unexpected: Sirens, alarms, gear hiccups—your calm sets the tone.Energy management: Arrive early, then disappear until showtime. Take breaks solo. One coffee. Move your body in the morning. No alcohol the night before.The Go/Slow/No Zone system (sustainable peak performance):Go Zone (≈2 hrs): Door shut, notifications off, single-task the most important items. Buzzer on.Slow Zone: Still productive, lighter context-switching.No Zone: True recovery—phone off, do what restores you.Aim for a 2:1 ratio of Go:No across the week; schedule both and move it, don’t lose it.Memorable, not gimmicky: Use images/props only when they’re congruent with the message (007 = Organization, Optimism, 7 Habits; crocodile suit = thick skin in sales). Don’t let tricks upstage the teaching.Breaking in: Do every rep you can (Rotary, clubs, internal meetings). The best marketing? Do a great job.Favorite lines“Be audience-centric. You’re there to serve them, not your slide deck.”“Stress isn’t the problem—lack of recovery is.”“Don’t be a prisoner to your structure—steer toward outcomes.”“Move it, don’t lose it—especially your No Zones.”Practical checklist (use before your next workshop)Ask the magic-wand outcomes question.Confirm room shape, stage, seating, lectern = no, lapel mic = yes.Fresh batteries in the mic pack.Schedule this week’s Go blocks (2 hrs) and No blocks (recovery).Plan a “phone-out pivot” (what you’ll do if attention dips).Decide your entrance and first 60 seconds.Script 2–3 audience-centric checkpoints (pause, pulse questions, turn & talk).Timestamps00:00 Intro & Mark’s left-field path to facilitation06:30 Sport → stage: pressure, ownership, performance12:10 Briefing right: outcomes first, then design17:45 Audience-centric delivery & reading cues23:20 Room set-up that actually helps you facilitate31:05 Mic choices, AV etiquette, and battery rules36:30 Energy rituals: pre-show, breaks, and recovery43:20 The Go/Slow/No Zone system (with ratios)52:10 Stories vs. gimmicks: making images serve the message58:00 First-time facilitator advice that still hitsLinks & mentionsMark McKeon – Go Zone & Everyday Counts (search his site/books to dive deeper)Collingwood FC (context for Mark’s high-performance background)Try this this weekBlock one Go Zone (120 minutes) before lunch, every day for five days. One task at a time. Door shut. Notifications off. Then book three No Zone hours across the week. Report back—I want to hear what changed.Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame.Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.comP.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are some ways I can help:Watch My 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 LinkedInLeanne Hughes on InstagramVisit my website: leannehughes.comEmail me: hello@leannehughes.comWould you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio.

If you’ve been hanging around here a while, you’ll know I love sport. Playing it, watching it, analyzing it—I’m in awe of what athletes and high-performing teams pull off under pressure. That’s why I was so excited to chat with today’s guest, Dr. Fergus Connolly.Fergus is a coach, teacher, mentor, author, speaker, and lifelong student of resilience. He’s worked with some of the biggest sporting and business teams in the world—think the San Francisco 49ers, Liverpool FC, the University of Michigan, Cricket Australia, and even elite special forces units. He’s also the author of Game Changer: The Art of Sports Science.This conversation dives deep. We explore:How Fergus builds trust and rapport quickly when parachuting into elite teams.The common challenges he sees across sport, business, and military environments (spoiler: communication always comes up).His three critical questions to uncover who you are, what you do, and why you’re here.Why authenticity and purpose aren’t fluffy concepts—they’re the anchors for resilience.How to hold up the mirror for yourself, gain awareness, and sustain success long-term.Fergus’ workshop prep process, including how he uses graphics to explain complex ideas.I loved this chat—it’s equal parts practical and profound. If you’ve ever wondered how to find your purpose, build influence, or thrive in chaos, you’ll love this one.👉 Find out more about Fergus at fergusconnolly.com.Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame.Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.comP.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are some ways I can help:Watch My 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 LinkedInLeanne Hughes on InstagramVisit my website: leannehughes.comEmail me: hello@leannehughes.comWould you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio.

Hey, thanks for tuning in today! Yesterday I shared my crazy little experiment with you—what would happen if I gave myself just 12 hours to see if a brand-new event idea had legs? No venue, no speakers, no fancy marketing—just a vision, a date, a location, and a cap of 50 people.Here’s what went down:I put the idea out quietly—via a Substack PS, a couple of LinkedIn + Insta posts, and a waitlist (78 people).At 8:00 AM tickets opened. By 8:21 AM, we’d hit the threshold of 15. Game on.By 2:10 PM, 31 tickets had sold. That’s for an event happening 292 days away. People are flying in from New Zealand and Perth for it.I didn’t send it to my full list. No chasing. Just: idea → test → result.Why I did this: 👉 To validate the idea properly (likes ≠ commitment, credit cards = commitment). 👉 To share the risk of running an event (why should hosts carry 100%?). 👉 To use real scarcity to create action—only 50 seats, only 12 hours, and no expansion.I also share behind-the-scenes lessons:Why I used Luma and Tally instead of freebie tools like Google Forms.How scarcity, mystery, and bold-action language shaped the vibe.Why this approach attracts the kind of people I want to work with—those who thrive in ambiguity and act fast.The result? Con Con 2026 is ON. 🎉 19 tickets remain. And I’m honestly a little scared (in the best way possible).Big thanks to everyone who jumped in early—you’re the bold action-takers. Tonight I’ll go live to debrief the experiment and share what’s next.Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame.Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.comP.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are some ways I can help:Watch My 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 LinkedInLeanne Hughes on InstagramVisit my website: leannehughes.comEmail me: hello@leannehughes.comWould you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio.

Today’s episode is a first: I’m recording this while riding my exercise bike (training for Nepal waits for no one!).I wanted to share what’s happening in real time with Con Con. At this stage, it’s still a fictional event—but I’ve set up a 12-hour experiment to see if it should actually exist.Here’s the deal:I’ve locked the event at 50 spots only.I’m putting “Bold Action” tickets on sale for 12 hours.If 15 people sign up, Con Con is on.If 14 or less, I refund everyone the next day.It’s kind of like an election-night style launch: I’ll be going live on LinkedIn Thursday night at 8pm to share the results.In this episode, I talk through: 🎟 Why I’m rewarding people who make bold, fast decisions 🎟 How I set up the waitlist and survey 🎟 Why I’m deliberately not over-marketing this 🎟 What it feels like to launch something in real time without being attached to the outcomeIt could be a sell-out. It could be a flop. Either way, I’ll share what happens.Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame.Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.comP.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are some ways I can help:Watch My 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 LinkedInLeanne Hughes on InstagramVisit my website: leannehughes.comEmail me: hello@leannehughes.comWould you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio.

Truth be told, I had no idea what I was going to talk about when I hit record. So, I did what I often do when I’m stuck: I asked ChatGPT to give me 10 episode title ideas. Instead of choosing one, I decided to read them out loud and riff on each for about 30 seconds. We cover everything from my “two-drink test,” spotting everyday Work Fame moments, and why B-roll is actually the real show, through to my constant battle with perfection when using AI. It’s a bit of a grab bag — but that’s kind of the fun of it.As always, if you’ve got a question you’d love me to riff on, shoot me an email at hello@leannehughes.com or drop me a message on LinkedIn or Instagram.Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame.Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.comP.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are some ways I can help:Watch My 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 LinkedInLeanne Hughes on InstagramVisit my website: leannehughes.comEmail me: hello@leannehughes.comWould you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio.

Today I’m answering a great question from a friend: “Do you decide to write a book and then pick the topic, or do you already have the topic and then decide to write?”For me, the answer was simple — I just wanted to be an author. That identity was important to me. The easiest path? Writing about something I’d already been talking about for years: workshop design. That’s how The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint came to life.In this episode, I share:Why author identity came before topic for meThe role my podcast, community, and hundreds of conversations played in shaping my first bookHow procrastination (and a coffee with Jade Miller) helped spark my SPARK frameworkWhy Substack has become my “book lab” for my next big idea around Work FameThe one reason you shouldn’t write a book (spoiler: it’s not for quick money)If you’re thinking about writing your own business book, this episode will help you reflect on the bigger questions first: Who do you want to become? Who do you want to attract? And what do you want to create in the world?Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame.Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.comP.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are some ways I can help:Watch My 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 LinkedInLeanne Hughes on InstagramVisit my website: leannehughes.comEmail me: hello@leannehughes.comWould you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio.

What this one’s about: I riff on a killer Diary of a CEO roundtable (Codie Sanchez, Alex Hormozi, Daniel Priestley) and share a study on grooming, attractiveness and pay—plus my $150 Mecca “makeup school” hack I used before a 350-person talk.My big takeaways:You don’t need capital to start — pre-sell, validate fast, borrow audiences, and use relationships as leverage. That was the common thread from all three guests. AThe beauty premium is (mostly) a grooming premium for women. A 2016 paper using a large U.S. sample found attractive people earn ~20% more on average; for women, that edge comes almost entirely from being well-groomed (makeup/hair/style). For men, grooming explains about half. Agency > genetics. ScienceDirectSciSpaceMy practical play: I booked Mecca’s 90-min lesson (redeemable on product), filmed the steps (with permission), and now have a personalised tutorial I can replay before big stages. Zero YouTube rabbit holes; pro tips, done.Stuff I mention:Diary of a CEO: Money Making Experts: This 3-Step ‘Offer’ Formula… (Codie, Alex, Daniel). Great for no-excuse starters. Apple PodcastsSpotifyStudy: “Gender and the Returns to Attractiveness” — Jaclyn S. Wong & Andrew M. Penner, Research in Social Stratification and Mobility (2016). Read the abstract/summary here. ScienceDirectSocial Sciences UCIMedia explainer on the findings (optional primer). TIMEMy POV: I like this research because it gives us levers we can pull. I can’t change my bone structure, but I can decide whether to “play the game” for a high-stakes day. For me, working with pros (shout-outs to Kate Massey, and my stylist-friends who just see outfits I don’t!) is an energy and confidence shortcut.Try this:Book a lesson with a pro, film the steps (ask first), and create your mini-library.Build a simple stage-day checklist (base, brows, eyes, lips; hair plan; outfit A/B).Decide your rule: “I turn it up one notch for key moments.” No moral drama.Question for you: Where do you sit on this? Is “playing the game” strategic… or does it grate? Ping me—I’d love your take.Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame.Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.comP.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are some ways I can help:Watch My 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 LinkedInLeanne Hughes on InstagramVisit my website: leannehughes.comEmail me: hello@leannehughes.comWould you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio.