80. Stamp Out Boring Workshops with Leanne Hughes and Prina Shah

What are some common mistakes that workshop facilitators make that lead to boring workshops?
How can workshop facilitators create a safe and inclusive environment where all participants feel comfortable sharing their ideas and opinions?
What are some creative approaches to workshop design that can help break up the monotony of traditional lecture-style presentations?

About today’s episode:

Today I chat with my friend Leanne Hughes all the way in Brisbane, Queensland. Leanne is a thought provoking entrepreneur with an upcoming book called the 2 Hour Workshop Blueprint and it is great – I have been an early reader and have user tested it myself in the workshops that I deliver!

I speak with Leanne about: How to Stamp out Boring Workshops!

Watch the youtube version here: https://youtu.be/HTkZi8Uw7dQ

Leanne talks about her years of experience as a facilitator and what she has learnt from that, we cover:

Common mistakes that workshop facilitators make that lead to boring workshops.
How important it is to engage workshop participants from the outset, and some effective ways to do so.
The role technology plays in creating more dynamic and engaging workshops.
I ask how important is it to have a clear purpose and desired outcome for a workshop, and how can facilitators ensure that participants are aligned with these goals?
We discuss ways to keep energy levels high throughout the workshop, particularly during long sessions.
How workshop facilitators can create a safe and inclusive environment where all participants feel comfortable sharing their ideas and opinions.
Some creative approaches to workshop design that can help break up the monotony of traditional lecture-style presentations.
Some common myths about what makes a workshop successful, and how can we dispel them to create more effective learning experiences.
And listen in to Leanne’s answer to my question: if you had a magic wand, what is one way you would change the workplace?

About today’s guest: Leanne Hughes is a consultant, speaker and facilitator, maximising team potential by creating influential, contagious work experiences that scale across teams, functions and regions.

As a workshop designer and facilitator, she combines her experience in Marketing with her education (and obsession) with Group Dynamics and Psychology, to help leaders create engaging experiences.

Leanne has distilled her knowledge and experience into The First Time Facilitator podcast, and now, a book ‘The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint’.

Resources and links