Leanne on Demand Daily with Leanne Hughes

In 2025, can simply delivering on what you promised make you exceptional?Today’s episode is part rant, part reminder. I share the saga of Chris’s 1979 Pontiac Trans Am restoration — from the iconic “screaming chicken” sticker disaster to the stereo shop that ghosted us — plus a Mount Coot-tha coffee queue that had me questioning how businesses set (or don’t set) expectations.Here’s what we cover:Why the bar for “exceptional” seems lower than everHow meeting deadlines and specs still puts you in the top 20%Why honest, timely communication is everythingThe real damage of poor expectation-settingSimple fixes to make your clients feel confident in youIt’s a rant, yes. But also a hopeful reminder: deliver on your promise and you’re already ahead of most.🎧 Listen now and let me know — is it just me, or have you noticed the same thing?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 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 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 handing the mic to my friend John Anthony from Transcend — or as I call him, JA. We met at the MBS Rooftop event last year and I’ve been a fan of his perspective (and his knack for weaving music into his message) ever since.In this episode, JA breaks down a concept we all experience but rarely stop to name: cognitive dissonance — that out-of-tune feeling when our thoughts, values, and actions aren’t quite aligned.You’ll hear:Why your mind’s number-one goal is to keep you safe (and how that shapes your decisions)How we often change our thoughts instead of our behaviour… because it’s easierReal-world examples — from skipping a run to staying in the wrong relationship — that show this in actionThe key question to pause and ask yourself when you notice dissonance creeping inIf you’ve ever talked yourself out of something you know you should do, this one will hit close to home.🎧 Links Connect with John Anthony on LinkedInListen to Kindred SpiritsTranscendSign 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 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 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.

On Friday night, I may have committed a dinner party faux pas… by turning into that person—the one who can’t believe you don’t use Apple products. Over bubbles and red wine with Kirsty Lewis, I launched into an enthusiastic defence of my entire Apple tech stack—why it makes me faster, more efficient, and friction-free in my work as a “media company,” not just a consulting business.In this episode, I share exactly what Apple gear I use (from iPhone to AirTags), why I swapped my MacBook Pro for a lighter MacBook Air, and the little ecosystem touches—like AirDrop, Handoff, and QuickTime mirroring—that save me hours every week. If you’ve ever wondered how I stay so quick with content creation and client delivery, the secret’s in here.What I cover:The iPad-to-MacBook live drawing hack I used at my Project Management Institute workshopWhy tech speed and ease of use are part of my identityMy full Apple gear list (and the apps I can’t live without)How I use AirPods, Apple Watch, and AirTags in real life—not just for showWhy I think the MacBook Air M1 is the best buy for most creatorsMy case for seeing yourself as a media company first, and a consultant secondLinks & Resources:Project Management Institute QueenslandNotability appDescript for podcast recording/editingYour Turn: Are you team Apple? Or do you swear by another setup? Message me and let’s compare stacks.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 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 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.

There are some conversations where you can just feel the depth of thought—and this episode with Jo Fitzgerald is one of them.I met Jo when she came over to Brisbane earlier this year, and straight away I knew I wanted to hit record on our chats. We finally made it happen!In this episode, Jo shares her journey from primary school teaching to becoming a facilitator and coach, and how that foundation has shaped the way she shows up in the room today. We talk about:What teaching children taught her about adult learningThe moment she knew she needed to shift from “doing” facilitation to being a facilitatorHer pre- and post-workshop rituals, including her incredible “intention sheet” (I’m stealing this)How she handles the post-workshop buzz or flat, and why preparation helps her stay groundedThat public speaking workshop story—you’ll never forget itJo also opens up about her superpower: preparation. And she shares how she uses it as a springboard for creativity, agility, and being present—not as a rigid safety net. If you’re early in your facilitation journey, you’ll love her honesty. If you’ve been doing it for years, you’ll feel seen.You can connect with Jo here:🌐 Website: https://jofitzconsulting.co.nzSign 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 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 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 Weekend Rewind is part practical masterclass, part business therapy—and I absolutely loved it.My guest is Brendon Baker, someone I’ve known for a couple of years through the Alan Weiss community. We’ve collaborated, co-created, voice-noted each other through dilemmas, and today I brought him on the show for a wide-ranging conversation about business growth, facilitation, and how to shift stuck systems without burning people out in the process.We cover so much ground in this one:Brendan’s three big truths about change (spoiler: simplicity > methodology)The perception problem with last-minute prep—and why it might be your secret weaponHis evolving business model and rebrand (you’ll love his honesty around what’s not working anymore)A brilliant reminder that workshops shouldn’t be theory-only—they should do the workWe also talk about the power of peer communities, why failure teaches more than wins, and how to deal with bad Amazon reviews and tough workshop feedback. (Brendan’s reframe of “That sucks… okay, moving on” is gold.)And here’s something I really took away: Brendan’s mindset around focus and progress. He doesn’t waste time decorating the edges—he’s always asking, “What actually needs to shift?” That clarity shines through in the way he teaches, facilitates, writes, and builds his business.Connect with Brendon:Website: Mecro GroupLinkedIn: Brendon BakerPS: This conversation pairs well with coffee, a notebook, and a reminder that it’s okay to change your mind (and your brand). Enjoy!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 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 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 episode, I’m sharing the audio version of my latest Substack article: The Case for Being Uncoachable: Why Trusting Yourself Beats Following the Map (Sometimes).Inspired by a real-life moment where I told Google Maps “no thanks” and trusted my own route home, this episode explores:Why trusting your inner GPS is a leadership skill worth cultivatingThe danger of drowning in well-meaning advice (especially when you're training for a trek in Nepal!)A killer reframe from Alan Weiss that turns “Can I?” into “Should I?”Why “being coachable” isn’t always a virtue—and how to filter advice through your own goalsAnd… a bold new idea I’ve been sitting on: Con Con (The Consultant Convention!) 🌴💼Plus, I share a few questions for reflection:What advice have you recently declined?What idea are you ready to finally release into the wild?🔔 Also! You’re invited to the next Talk the Walk livestream with Alan Weiss and me: How to Ignore Feedback 🗓 Friday 15 August (7:00am AEST) | Thursday 14 August (5:00pm ET)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 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 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.

Every time I tell someone I’m heading to Nepal for a high-altitude trek, I get a flood of advice: what to pack, how to train, gear recommendations, you name it. It's well-intentioned—but also overwhelming.In today’s solo episode, I unpack a voice note conversation I had with Matt Stewart (from Experience Not Felt Possible), who’s running the expedition. We explore the tension between listening to advice and trusting yourself. Matt made a powerful point: there are many ways to get up a mountain—and most of them work. The question is: which one works for you?From ignoring Google Maps to reading Amazon reviews, I dig into how I personally decide what opinions, data, or advice I act on. I also share:Why even hard data is interpreted differentlyThe role of confirmation bias in decision-makingHow to handle the comparison trap (like seeing someone train for 2.5 hours on a StairMaster 😅)Why it's okay to take the long way home—if it feels rightI’d love to hear your thoughts: How do you filter advice? And when do you back yourself over what others say?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 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 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 a powerful acronym that captures the chaotic, unpredictable, and fog-filled world we’re navigating in 2025 and beyond.You’ve probably heard of VUCA — Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous — a term that's been tossed around in leadership circles for decades. But a new framework, BANI, hit my radar recently (thanks, Yoke Van Dam!), and I think it paints a more accurate picture of the world we're actually leading, working, and living in.BANI stands for:Brittle (systems feel fragile and ready to snap)Anxious (decision paralysis, AI disruption, uncertainty)Non-linear (no clear cause-and-effect anymore)Incomprehensible (some things just don’t make sense anymore)In this episode, I unpack what each element means and how it shows up in business, leadership, tech, and life. I also riff on why seeking control isn’t the answer—and what to do instead.And bonus tip: If you need to focus, try the same chill background music I play for my dogs... it works wonders.Would love to know—does BANI resonate with you more than VUCA?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 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 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.

While I was spinning on my Peloton (shoutout Cody Rigsby), I listened to a super juicy webinar titled: How to Attract and Land Filthy Rich Clients on Social Media.Now, don’t be turned off by the title—it was actually packed with thought-provoking distinctions between cheap clients vs rich clients (not poor—important difference!). I share some red flags to watch for, why asking “what’s your rate?” is a massive warning sign, and how I've evolved beyond that price-led game. Plus, I reflect on my own journey and moments where I might’ve been the “cheap client” in someone else’s world 👀This episode is about energy, growth, and mindset—how we show up, how we buy, how we sell, and how we signal our value to the world. It’s about upside thinking, brand positioning, and attracting clients who don’t need convincing—they just know you’re the one.If you're in the business of consulting, coaching, or selling your expertise, this one will hit.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 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 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 was recorded fresh off a spectacular morning hike with Kirsty Lewis — someone I’ve technically known since 2018 but only met IRL for the first time today!Kirsty runs the School of Facilitation in the UK, and she’s visiting Australia after a facilitation gig in Manila. So we hit the Macchu Picchu trail (not really, but it felt epic), talked facilitation, pricing, and how we both have stacks of unused IP sitting quietly in Google Drive purgatory.Here’s what came up:What it’s like finally meeting someone in-person you’ve worked with for years onlineThe “starving facilitator” mindset — why we often sacrifice ourselves for the groupWhy we hoard great ideas in Google Docs and never do anything with themMy half-baked but exciting experiment connecting ChatGPT to Google Drive and GmailHow AI agents could actually help you unearth patterns, generate IP, or even schedule your next dentist appointment 😳New asset library idea: A searchable, anonymized database of all my past workshop run sheetsWhat happens when you give AI access to your email, calendar, and docs—and what that could mean for your next book or business strategyKirsty and I covered SO much—honestly, I should’ve just hit record on the trail. But hopefully this solo debrief gives you a taste of our convo and sparks your own ideas for leveraging what you’ve already created.If you’ve got Google Docs filled with brilliance, maybe it's time to dust them off… or better yet, let AI do it for you.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 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 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.