Leanne on Demand Daily with Leanne Hughes

Today, I want to talk about a concept I shared last year called the "Hesitation Station" - a place we all know too well. It's that metaphorical waiting room where ideas get stuck and potential goes unrealisedImagine a dark, dreary station with trains coming and going, but you have no idea which direction they're heading. There are no vending machines, everything's running behind schedule. This station can exist for a few minutes, months, or even years. And the longer you stay, the harder it becomes to move.Why we get stuck1. Fear of FailureI've realised that one of the biggest reasons we get stuck is the fear of failure. It's safer to hold back, to not give something a try. We feed our ego by avoiding potential disappointment. But I've learned that it's more painful to not take the risk than to face potential judgment.2. Over-PlanningWe want to plan everything, to make sure outcomes are certain before we even start. But life doesn't work that way. The best insights come when you actually put your ideas out into the world, when you test them beyond your own thoughts.3. Searching for the Perfect "Why"I love strategy, but sometimes we overthink it. You don't need to have every single detail figured out. Nothing is permanent. In this digital age, you can put an offer out there, try it out, and learn from the validation you receive.My personal journeyTake my daily podcast, for example. Two years ago, I met Eddie Quan who inspired this daily content approach. I initially rejected the idea, but here I am now. There's something cathartic about sharing your message daily.How to Get Off the Hesitation StationSimple StepsSocialise your ideas outside of your headStart small and imperfectJust give it a goI recently spoke with my friend Sophia about her idea to start a live stream about football. My advice? Just do it. Even if it's an unlisted YouTube video, the experience of going live changes everything.Some periods of hesitation are okay. As I discussed with Dr. Maike Neuhaus, sometimes it's good to be in a period of stability, even if it's uncertain. Not every idea needs to be pursued immediately.What's the simplest way you can start sharing your idea? It's okay if you don't pursue it fully. The important thing is to make your work public, to take that first step.Remember the quote from Alan Weiss: "We need to stop walking around the block to get next door." How can you jump that fence and leave the Hesitation Station?I'll be sharing more insights about this throughout the year. If you have specific questions, feel free to reach out.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.

Had a fantastic chat in the Brisbane Botanical Gardens with Liz Heathwood, a global Principal Advisor for learning experience at Rio Tinto who's passionate about disrupting traditional leadership development. With native birds as our backdrop, we dove into the future of learning and development.In this episode, we explore:Why traditional leadership development programs often stay stuck in the pastHow Rio Tinto approaches learning across diverse global locations (including voice recordings in Africa!)The power of "activation" and creative ways to capture attention in the busy corporate worldWhy PowerPoint slides need to die (and what to use instead)The importance of building relationships across global teamsTips for building your professional brand on LinkedIn while working in a corporate roleKey insights:Focus on co-creation rather than the traditional "big reveal" approachTap into existing channels rather than creating new onesConsider different learning modes for different audiences (especially those without computer access)Keep "agitating in little ways" to drive change in organisationsMentioned in this episode:Siobhan McHale's "Insider's Guide to Culture Change"Chad Littlefield's perspective on room experienceJenny Blake's concept of "friendtoring"Nick Shackleton Jones' "resources not courses" approachRecording location: Brisbane Botanical Gardens 🌿 (with some chatty native birds in the background!)Connect with Liz Heathwood on LinkedIn to continue the conversation about the future of learning and leadership development.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.

Just worked on my latest podcast episode about niching in business - a topic that came up during a great chat with Sophia and Jade in the Corporate Box Coaching sesh on Friday.In this episode, I break down:Why the "you must have a niche" advice isn't one-size-fits-allHow I used hyper-niching with my "2 Hour Workshop Blueprint" book while maintaining broader business focusThe concept of being your own niche (like my personal brand at leannehughes.com)My 90/10 split between B2B work (leadership teams, conferences, learning design) and B2C offeringsWhy passion often follows competency rather than the other way aroundKey takeaways: Think of yourself as the umbrella brand with content pillars underneath.When monetising, you can hyper-niche to solve specific problems while maintaining creative freedom in your overall brand.Mentioned in this episode:Nick Gray's "The 2-Hour Cocktail Party"The Flipchart Group (my community of 2,800+ facilitators)Dan Koe's content pillar strategyJenny Blake's "Pivot" frameworkThe concept of "Multi-potentialites" Recording location: On a foresty track with kangaroos and wildlife in the background! 🦘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.

Bringing you this weekend rewind, based on a conversation I had with Alex and Scott during Corporate Box Coaching on Friday.In this episode, I'm joyfully bringing you a conversation with the author of the book “Belonging: The Ancient Code of Togetherness”, Owen Eastwood.Btw, you can watch the YouTube conversation here.Have you been in work situations where you might have started in a company and you just didn’t feel like you belonged, which then led to a lot of stress and tension? Join us as we learn how to create a sense of belonging with the Belonging author, Owen Eastwood.Owen draws on his own Maori ancestry and weaves together insights from our evolutionary story and our collective wisdom as he helps people create a sense of belonging, especially in workplaces. Owen shines a light on where these powerful ideas are applied around the world in high performing settings, encompassing sports, business, the arts, and military.In this conversation, you’ll hear Owen and I discuss:His book, “Belonging: The Ancient Code of Togetherness”What the concept of Whakapapa is all aboutHow he felt when he was called in to create an intervention for the SouthAfrican cricket teamHow to create a collective feeling of belongingWhy he dispels the myth that we all, as individuals, need a purposeThe impact of environment and how that affects your ability to beresilient and to feel like you belongOur central nervous system (the cues that our body gives us)Rapid roundSign 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.

In this Talk the Walk replay from yesterday, I riff with the prolific author and consulting expert Alan Weiss, who has written over 60 books on consulting.We dive deep into popular business phrases and challenge their validity. Alan shares his candid thoughts on sayings like 'the customer is always right,' 'work smarter, not harder' and 'failure is not an option.' You'll hear practical advice and thought-provoking perspectives on these commonly accepted truths. Join us for a lively discussion filled with wisdom and humour. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction00:42 Casual Conversation and Catching Up04:07 The Customer Isn't Always Right07:22 Debunking Business Phrases11:07 Workplace Dynamics and Remote Work14:15 Profit-Driven Misconceptions16:16 Exploring AI and Its Impact on Consulting17:06 The Future of Consulting in an AI-Driven World18:41 Audience Interaction and Personal Reflections19:13 The Value of Failure and Resilience20:43 Accountability and Authenticity in Business26:33 Balancing Work and Personal Life27:53 Rethinking Retirement and Lifelong Contribution29:07 Final Thoughts and Parting MessagesSign 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 share an intriguing off-the-record conversation with Steven Bleistein, a brilliant consultant based in Japan. Before the official podcast began ,we delve into the raw and unfiltered insights on disruption. Steve asserts that 'there is no soft, evolutionary, respectful disruption,' emphasising the boldness required to truly effect change. You'll uncover thought-provoking discussions on the courage to ruffle feathers, the pitfalls of playing it safe, and the necessity of provocative leadership. Don't miss out on learning why charismatic disruption might just be the key to groundbreaking innovation. Steve’s New Book is Charismatic DisruptionYour Key to the Best Employees, Passionate Customers, and Rapid Business GrowthFree chapter download at https://charismaticdisruption.comSign 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.

Look, as a solo business owner, I spend heaps of time in my own head—and I enjoy it! But here’s the thing: nothing speeds up clarity and fresh thinking like being around people who just get it.This episode is a little different. I recorded it straight after a strategy session with my friends Petra Zink and Dr Maike Neuhaus.We meet up every 40–50 days in what’s become a bit of a ritual. It’s two hours of weird Post-it notes, provocative questions, and brainstorming, followed by two hours of good food and bubbles. In today’s unedited (well, mostly unedited) conversation, we talk about:The power of having a group of people who challenge your thinking and celebrate your wins.Why psychological safety is a game-changer for breakthrough moments.How to embrace controversial, edgy ideas in your content (spoiler: playing it safe gets you nowhere).Why sometimes you just need to ride the wave of uncertainty and let things unfold.We also dive into what it means to curate your own friendship groups, why LinkedIn feels a bit vanilla, and how sharing just 10% of the bold, authentic ideas we explore in private could completely change the game.Final takeaway: Be surrounded by people who challenge you, celebrate you, and help you reach your peak. Cheers to that—and enjoy the episode!🎙️ Let me know your thoughts! What inspires you, and who challenges you to think bigger?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.

In today's episode, I share an off-brand adventure she embarked on by attending a Luke Combs concert. Despite initially disliking the artist, grew to love his music over time. This episode highlights the power of live events, the joy of pursuing passions, and the importance of seizing spontaneous opportunities. Discover what makes Luke Combs stand out (according to Leanne). Links Mentioned:Luke Combs & Tracy Chapman Grammy PerformanceNY Times piece about the performanceSign 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 share my unexpected journey from a 5G upgrade hiccup to discovering an AI tool that's revolutionisng how I research and make decisions. Learn how Perplexity AI saved me hours of research time and why it might be your new favourite digital assistant.What you'll learnThe difference between Perplexity AI and ChatGPTHow to use Perplexity for smarter product researchReal-world example: Using AI to choose a 5G-compatible smart speakerWhy this tool might be the future of online search🔍 Resources Mentioned:Perplexity AI: https://www.perplexity.aiMatt Wolf YouTube ChannelSign 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.

In today’s episode of Leanne on Demand, we’re shaking things up—starting with my coffee order. While being predictable and “on brand” has its perks (hello, efficiency!), it can also make life feel a bit... well, boring. That’s why I’m challenging myself—and you—to step outside the usual routine and try something a little off brand.We explore how making small, low-risk changes—whether it’s switching up your coffee, saying no without justification, or wearing a bold accessory—can help you discover new sides of yourself, spark fresh ideas, and keep life interesting.Tune in to hear:Why going 10% off brand is the sweet spot for growthMy story of choosing a long-tail boat in Thailand (yes, it was slightly terrifying!)Practical, everyday ways to step outside your comfort zoneIf you’ve been stuck in autopilot, this episode is your nudge to mix it up. Try something different, surprise yourself, and maybe even surprise the people around you. Let’s keep life interesting—one small shift at a time.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.