Start here: Welcome to Work Fame

🌴 Love that you’re here! This is a place where we share ideas to attract opportunities and become known for what you do, without playing small or waiting your turn.

Hey, it’s Leanne. How’s it going?

Grab a cuppa and quickly drop in because I want to share something important about this whole idea related to WORK FAME.

This Substack

… is NOT about being world famous.

It’s not even about being internet famous.

I'm not here to help you become the next big thing on TikTok (because I truly have no idea how to do that).

This is about being Work Famous.

Work Fame is a phrase I coined because I couldn’t find the right words for the thing I kept seeing, and helping people build, over and over again.

It's the kind of recognition that matters in your professional life.

When people say, "Oh, you should talk to her about that," or "I know exactly who can solve this problem."

It's reputation with purpose.

It's influence with substance.

It's that moment when your name gets forwarded because you're the one they trust to handle it.

The great news is, you don't need to be everywhere.

(even though, I do get texts like this from time to time…)

You just need to be known in the right rooms, by the right people, for the right reasons.

That's what this Substack is all about.

Why I created this community

I created Work Fame because I was seeing too many brilliant, experienced, thoughtful people doing amazing work... quietly.

Meanwhile, the loudest voice in the room was often the least qualified. And I thought: that's not a talent problem. It's usually a visibility problem.

This publication exists to fix that imbalance.

I'm here to help you stop hiding, start showing up strategically, and get the recognition you deserve. Not in a "look at me!" way, but in a thoughtful, intentional, low-fuss approach.

If you've ever:

• Second-guessed sharing your ideas publicly

• Waited on the hesitation station for more confidence, more clarity, or one more certificate before putting yourself forward

• Found yourself being "helpful" when you're ready to be "in demand"

You're in exactly the right place.

What to expect

Every week, I share practical ideas, honest stories, and tactical approaches to building Work Fame your way.

I'll talk about how I pitch myself, design high-impact events, land (and sometimes lose) opportunities, and how I help others stand out and get picked for the work they truly want to do.

You’ll also hear about the messy bits. The bold moves I’ve made. The ones that paid off, and the ones that flopped (truly, I flop a lot, but you usually don’t hear about it).

This isn’t a glossy personal brand newsletter. It’s a space for real conversations about visibility, credibility, and action — without all the performative nonsense.

For paid subscribers, I share exclusive behind-the-scenes voice notes, templates I actually use with clients, and invitations to small-group sessions where we explore these concepts in real time.

About me

I’m Leanne Hughes. I used to work in corporate. I was good at my job, did the work, hit the deadlines, ticked all the boxes. But I was getting overlooked.

Then I realised: there’s another way.

I started volunteering for things outside my job description. Hosting events. Speaking up in meetings. Running workshops. Saying yes to stuff I technically wasn’t “qualified” for.

I stopped waiting to be picked, and started building visibility through action. Not just doing the work… But being seen doing it.

Eventually, that led to bigger opportunities. Hosting workshops around the world. Starting a podcast. Writing a book. Keynotes. Corporate partnerships. My own business.

Along the way, I discovered something crucial: people don’t need to see everything you do… They just need to see the right thing, at the right time.

And that’s what Work Fame is really about.

Join me

If you're ready to stop overthinking and start building a reputation that opens doors, I'd love to have you here.

I can’t wait to help you become Work Famous!

Leanne Hughes 🌴

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