Send Leanne a message

I wrote this article this after being on a group call where one person dominated the airtime. You know the ones, right?

As facilitators, it’s our job to respect the room, the time, and the energy of everyone there. And sometimes, that means stepping in. Yes, interrupting can feel awkward — but if you do it with care, it can completely transform the vibe of your sessions.

In this episode, I share:

• Why interrupting is actually a public service
• Three reasons we don’t interrupt — and how to move past them
• Powerful redirect phrases you can use right away
• How to interrupt without feeling like a jerk
• The difference between a question and a monologue

This one's all about giving you permission to run a tight, purposeful room — and boost your Work Fame while you’re at it.

🧠 Mentioned:

• The Advice Trap by Michael Bungay Stanier
• My Substack publication: Work Fame — sign up here

🎧 And hey, if you’re into more short, punchy episodes like this, check out my daily podcast Leanne On Demand.

Let’s keep the room moving. Enjoy the episode!

If you're nodding along to today's First Time Facilitator episode, you're going to love my written companion: Work Fame — a weekly Spublication designed to help you stand out in your work, build your reputation, and get the opportunities others don’t.

📝 Subscribe for free at work.fa.me

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Send Leanne a message

Hey, thanks for tuning in today. I just wrapped up a webinar for a long-time client — an organization that delivers live, critical, and completely anonymous support via webinars.

That’s right. No faces. No names. Just silence... and a flurry of comments in the chat.

So how do you respond when the comments start rolling in — especially when the stakes are high and the people on the other side might be feeling overwhelmed, unseen, or unheard?

Today, I share the 4 archetypes I’ve created to explain the choices we have when responding to chat — in real-time, whether you're on a livestream, hosting a masterclass, or even navigating in-person Q&A.

🌀 The Fog – You miss the moment
👀 The Birdwatcher – You see it, let it fly
👂 The Listener – You acknowledge, but don’t fix
🗺 The Guide – You go there, with intention

We also talk:

• When verbatim responses can be powerful
• The risk of paraphrasing (and how to check in)
• Why sometimes, the most generous thing is to not engage
• How time and engagement form a decision-making matrix when you’re live

If you ever find yourself juggling incoming comments with a tight run sheet, this one’s for you.

Let me know which archetype you default to — and if you’ve found any hacks for managing emotional or high-stakes chat in live sessions.

Speak tomorrow!

If you're nodding along to today's First Time Facilitator episode, you're going to love my written companion: Work Fame — a weekly Spublication designed to help you stand out in your work, build your reputation, and get the opportunities others don’t.

📝 Subscribe for free at work.fa.me

See you in your inbox.

Support the show

Send Leanne a message

I’m so excited to take you behind the scenes of my rebranding journey—aka Leanne 3.0. In this replay, I chat with Jason Knight, the brilliant mind behind my new brand.

Watch our conversation on YouTube to see the brand!

Jason and I first connected on my First Time Facilitator podcast back in 2019, and five years later, I finally brought him on board to reimagine how I show up in the world.

But this episode isn’t just about the shiny new website (even though I love it)—it’s about the process.

Rebranding wasn’t even on my radar this year, but during my Radical Reboot on the Gold Coast, I realised my old brand was... fine.

But “fine” isn’t what I want to offer my clients.

Jason and I dive into the messy middle of branding—balancing tensions like approachability vs. luxury, identifying my essence (hello, “Tropical Courage”), and figuring out how to reflect me through visuals, words, and vibes. If you’ve ever thought about rebranding or just need a confidence boost, this one’s for you.

10 key insights:

1. Play the Long Game: Jason and I first connected five years ago. Relationships take time—stick with them!
2. “Good” Can Be Dangerous: My old brand was good, but that was the problem. It wasn’t great.
3. Clarity Through Process: Jason’s process included diagnosing where I stood, repositioning, and rolling it all out fast.
4. Test Ideas in Real Time: “Tropical Courage” became a cornerstone of my brand after I casually tested it in a workshop.
5. Speed is Confidence: We sprinted through the rebrand in a month. Quick wins keep you motivated.
6. Balance Tensions: Approachable vs. luxurious, tropical vs. gritty. Turns out, you can be both.
7. Branding Is a Vibe: Your brand isn’t just a logo or colours—it’s how it feels. Think: playlist, visuals, even drinks!
8. Collaborate to Elevate: Weekly feedback sessions and input from trusted friends brought the brand to life.
9. Confidence Is Everything: I’ve gone from cringing at my website to wanting to share it with everyone.
10. Invest in Yourself: A strong brand sets you up for the long game—it’s already opening doors for me.

Why this matters to you:

If you’re thinking about rebranding, or you’re stuck in the “good but not great” phase, here’s what I’ve learned:

• Don’t wait for the “perfect” time. There’s never a perfect time—just make space and start.
• Collaborate with people who challenge you and help you see yourself in new ways.
• Test your ideas out loud. See how people react. You’ll know when you’re onto something.
• Branding is an investment in your confidence, your positioning, and your future. It’s worth it.

A challenge for you:
Jason asked me this question early on: How would you explain what you do to a seven-year-old? It was harder than I thought! Try it yourself—simplifying your message is a game-changer.

This was such a fun journey, and I hope it gives you some ideas for your own brand evolution.

And hey, if y

If you're nodding along to today's First Time Facilitator episode, you're going to love my written companion: Work Fame — a weekly Spublication designed to help you stand out in your work, build your reputation, and get the opportunities others don’t.

📝 Subscribe for free at work.fa.me

See you in your inbox.

Support the show