045 - How to create unpredictable workshop experiences (that predictably work) - with Leanne Hughes

On episode 045 I speak with Leanne Hughes, my "(nearly) facilitation twin", public speaker, trainer and, fellow podcast host. 

We cover a lot of ground and speak about the habits of facilitators and our mindsets, we speak about the meaning of showing up (as opposed to showing off). Leanne shares what she has learned from instructional design and now applies to her workshop design. 

Click here to download the free 1-page summary

Don’t miss the next show: Subscribe to the show with your favourite podcast player.

Feeling inspired by the conversation in this episode? We can have our own - take a seat at my virtual table as part of a Mastermind Group.

A huge thank you must go to SessionLab, the sponsor of Workshops Work. Claim your free two months of SessionLab Pro now – this deal is exclusive to Workshops Work listeners!

 

Questions and Answers 

[1:53] How did you get into facilitation and podcasting? 

[4:20] Do you recall the moment when you called yourself a facilitator for the first time?

[6:16] If you were a hashtag, what would you be?

[6:32] What does it mean to you to show up?

[9:33] What have you learned from 100 episodes on the First Time Facilitator podcast?

[12:38] What’s your advice to a first-time facilitator?

[15:20] What would you consider your own uniqueness as a facilitator?

[17:27] Who did you get feedback to improve your facilitation skills? 

[19:11] What do you mean by “contrast”?   

[22:33] Would you design for contrast or use the contrast that exists already in the room?

[23:38] What is your strategy to bring the spark of energy back into the room?

[25:43] How do you prepare for contrast in a workshop that you facilitate abroad?

[29:55] How would you prepare for a workshop where a large hierarchical difference will be present?

[32:57] How much “training" would you allow a facilitator during a workshop?

[34:57] What’s your silver bullet exercise?

[43:14] What is it that your clients hire you for?

[48:14] What makes a workshop fail?

[50:47] How would you deal with such a situation today?

[52:03] Would you facilitate workshops that were designed by someone else?

Links to check

• Leanne's business page: Leannehughes.com
• Leanne's podcast "First Time Facilitator" and our episode 89 
• Atomic Habits by James Clear
• Clifton Strength Assessment 
• It’s never crowded along the extra mile by Wayne W. Deyer
• What is "Instructional Design"