Episode 187: Tuning your “facilitation antenna” in to manage group dynamics with Lisa Evans
I love the metaphor that my guest today shares, when she explores how she manages group dynamics - it’s like an antenna, that you need to tune into!
This week, I’m talking to the delightful Lisa Evans from Speaking Savvy, and host of the Business Chat podcast.
I was using some of Lisa’s story activities before I even met her (through reading about them in The Story Cookbook).
I’m particularly inspired by her story of a major career shift in her 40s. A great reminder that we control the narrative of our lives and careers, and it’s never too early, or too late, to start in a new direction!
In this conversation, we explore many areas related to our facilitation craft. Lisa shares her views of what can sometimes hold us back from stepping up and sharing our ideas with others (including the key role of leaders and facilitators in enabling that psychological safety), how she likes to view extroversion and introversion, and her perspective on why we feel so tired after leading an all-day workshop!
Oh, we also have a fun rant on conference locations.
About our guest: Lisa Evans
Lisa Evans is a certified executive speaker coach and a business storytelling consultant. She started off her career as a midwife and did that for over 20 years,
These days, Lisa helps leaders to mine, refine and deliver captivating ‘sticky’ stories for their business and brand.
She has empowered over 1,000 leaders to deliver stand out messages with engaging business stories. She is also a keynote speaker, trainer and the host of the Business Chat Podcast.
She lives in Perth with her family and a retired greyhound named Giraffe.
Contact Lisa on all of the platforms
Lisa Evans’ website Speaking Savvy
Connect with Lisa on Facebook
Follow Lisa on Instagram
Listen to the Business Chat Podcast
Here’s some questions I asked Lisa during the Interview:
What holds people back from stepping up and sharing their ideas?
What’s the introvert advantage when it comes to facilitation?
What’s your advice for first time facilitators?
How do you like to manage your energy during a workshop?
Do you have a favourite activity to start a session?
Resources mentioned in the show:
Listen to my interview with Lisa on her Business Chat podcast
Support the show (https://buymeacoffee.com/leannehughes)
About your host: Leanne Hughes
Leanne Hughes is an international facilitator, speaker and coach who loves creating unpredictable workshop experiences, that predictably work.
She combines her experience in Marketing, with her education in Human Resources and Psychology, to help leaders create engaging everyday experiences - that are so contagious they scale across teams, functions and regions.
Leanne has facilitated leadership, onboarding and team-development workshops across Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, and Singapore and believes in a strengths-centred approach to learning and development. She has over 14 years’ of experience across a range of industries including mining, government and tourism sectors.
She’s the host of the First Time Facilitator podcast and was a finalist in the 2018 Australian Learning Impact awards for Learning Professional of the Year.
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Thoughts on the episode? Share your comments below!
Keeping panel conversations, workshops and presentations fresh with Peter Hopwood (Episode 186)
I remember in those early days when you're called to run a workshop, or moderate a panel conversation, you feel like you need to do things "by the book". I remember my panel interviews being very pedestrian! Now I think (I hope) I've developed more confidence, and I'm willing to create some banter between panellists, and let some personality shine through.
In today's episode, my guest Peter Hopwood and I also banter on presentation, panel and moderation tips.
He has lived in 7 countries (jealous), worked in 32 (even more jealous) and is currently based in Croatia, working worldwide on Zoom.
He is a communicator, confidence-booster & connector, travelling the world (virtually) to help professionals define, craft and deliver stronger stories and take control of their messages, storyline & speaking impact.
In this chat, Peter also shares how you can keep any repeat sessions you deliver, feeling fresh (even if you’ve delivered it a million times!), how you can communicate more strongly on virtual calls, and tips for moderating panel conversations.
About our Guest: Peter Hopwood
Peter is a British Global Speaker Coach, Virtual Speaking Specialist & TEDx Coach, Media Skills Trainer, Worldwide Events MC & Speaker.
Here are 6 popular ways Peter can help you out:
1/ EXECUTIVE SPEAKER COACHING
Helping leaders, managers and teams to speak with impact, become confident speakers and deliver fabulous, strong presentations. One-to-one coaching, group training, virtual or hybrid coaching.
2/ VIRTUAL SPEAKING & PRESENCE WEBINARS
Building team's virtual skillset to boost engagement, connection and stronger presence online. Getting great at using the virtual world to your advantage. Showing-up and standing out online through persuasive speech, voice and body awareness, storytelling and delivery techniques.
3/ TEDx SPEAKER COACHING
Taking global independent TEDx speakers on the process of defining, crafting and delivering their stories and ensure their moment makes the right impact. Ultimately helping speakers to share their value and gloriously own the stage.
4/ STARTUP PITCH COACHING
Working alongside accelerators, incubators and founders to define and develop startup stories, boost pitching presence and deliver powerful messages to persuade, evoke curiosity and gain investment. Workshops, seminars or individual sessions.
5/ INTERNATIONAL EVENTS MC / PRESENTER / VIRTUAL MODERATOR
Shaping the (virtual) stage for global events - more than 300 events in 20 countries for some of the strongest tech events in the world including the Middle East, Europe, Asia and North America.
6/ MEDIA SKILLS TRAINING
Specifically training professionals to be media-ready and shine in the spotlight. Media interview techniques, how to predict questions, focus on delivering key messages and ultimately create the right impact on your or your company’s reputation
Here’s some sample questions I asked Peter during the Interview:
When you are presenting the same presentation over and over again, how do you make it fun and fresh for yourself?
What skills/attributes make a Moderator great?
When you’re in the role of MC introducing various speakers, do you feel that you are part of the event?
How do you prepare in terms of your energy before a workshop?
Resources mentioned in the show:
Send Peter an email: hello(at)peter-hopwood.com
Support the show (https://buymeacoffee.com/leannehughes)
About your host: Leanne Hughes
Leanne Hughes is an international facilitator, speaker and coach who loves creating unpredictable workshop experiences, that predictably work.
She combines her experience in Marketing, with her education in Human Resources and Psychology, to help leaders create engaging everyday experiences - that are so contagious they scale across teams, functions and regions.
Leanne has facilitated leadership, onboarding and team-development workshops across Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, and Singapore and believes in a strengths-centred approach to learning and development. She has over 14 years’ of experience across a range of industries including mining, government and tourism sectors.
She’s the host of the First Time Facilitator podcast and was a finalist in the 2018 Australian Learning Impact awards for Learning Professional of the Year.