How I landed my first international speaking gig (after being mostly ignored in a Facebook Group)
Plus: 13 ideas to help you score global opportunities
In 2018, I read
‘s book Pivot and stumbled across something that would genuinely shift the trajectory of my career: CliftonStrengths.Like most people who’ve done the assessment, I instantly became obsessed with it. I loved the language, the insight, the self-awareness.
When I read my report, it felt like it had read my mind: Leanne, you shudder when you hear people say, “We’ve always done it this way”.
So, naturally, I wanted to talk about it on my First Time Facilitator podcast. I thought it’d be great to feature coaches who were using it in creative ways.
So what did I do?
I went into the CliftonStrengths coaches site and started messaging a bunch of certified coaches, asking if they’d like to come on the show.
Guess how many replied?
Zero.
Okay.
So, I took a different approach. joining a Facebook community and posting this:
Eventually, someone responded.
His name was Adam Mustoe. A coach, speaker, now Reverend, and all-around top human based in Kansas City, USA (yes, a Chiefs supporter before Taylor Swift made it a thing).
We got chatting about all things strengths, workshops, facilitation, and Tim Tams.
That DM turned into a podcast conversation.
That call turned into a friendship.
And that friendship led to a joint pitch to speak at the CliftonStrengths Conference in the US.
We combined forces: his US-based experience and deep Strengths knowledge, with my Aussie-ness and workshop design thinking, and submitted a session idea.
And guess what?
We were selected.
I’ll never forget that moment. Adam shared the news while I was working my corporate job. It was in that moment I realised, hey, maybe there is an opportunity for me outside of these four walls (I resigned the following week).
I flew out to the US. We co-presented. The session was a hit (listen to our debrief here).
It was one of my first international speaking gigs under my own name/brand, and it came from a mix of outreach, persistence, and….three opportunity openers.
Opportunity openers, you say?
Yes….
(But before I explain this, I also want to thank Adam for being that person who leapt in and accepted the invite. My podcast was just starting up, so it’s really nice when other people have faith in your work when you begin. Be like Adam!)
🪣 Leanne’s Opportunity Openers
That story above? It wasn’t random. It followed a pattern.
Over the years, as I re-engineer opportunities, I’ve come to realise that when you combine three levers, you can create some pretty terrific things.
I call these the three Opportunity Openers (OOs):
Connections: Who you know (and who knows you)
Content: What you say, share, or stand for (your visible IP)
Craft: How good you are at the thing you say you do
Let’s break that CliftonStrengths gig down through this lens:
Content: My podcast First Time Facilitator put me on Adam’s radar
Connection: He reached out, and we built a real relationship
Craft: We created a great session and got selected
Just one OO filling up the next.
I’m sharing this because when we talk about scaling or “going global,” we often default to automation, funnels, or 10x hacks.
That’s the mistake.
It’s easy to forget that what really moves the needle - what actually creates opportunity, is a real person, connecting to another real person.
Don’t skip the human stuff. It scales better than you think.
Also?
You need all three of these OOs.
Most people get stuck because they focus entirely on one area.
They publish great content but haven’t built any strategic relationships.
They’re brilliant at delivery but their ideas live in their head, or the Notes app on their iPhone.
They network like crazy but have no strong message or positioning.
I’m not saying you need to be perfect across all three (I’m definitely not).
But when you start topping up each bucket consistently?
That’s when you attract the opportunities.
Quick check-in:
Out of the three Opportunity Openers (Connection, Content, Craft)…
Which one is fuelling most of your current work?
Which one have you been ignoring?
What’s one small action you can take this week to top it up?
🌏 Speaking of opportunities: Here are 13 things you can try to score international work gigs
My last live-stream with the Rockstar of Consulting, Alan Weiss was all about this: How to score international gigs. You can watch it below.
To make it easy for you, I’ve pulled some of the practical strategies we explored in this one below:
Write for international publications
Work for global organisations
Look for foreign businesses operating in your country
Use consulates and trade commissions
Attend global conferences as a delegate
Start by targeting English-speaking countries
Ask your current network for global referrals
Run global remote programs
Make your website international-ready
Promote your international gigs loudly
Make the most of travel (yes, on my latest trip to Thailand, I left a copy of my book for the hotel GM. Nothing to lose!)
Speak at international conferences (even for free)
Host your own event overseas
And most importantly: Be bold, not timid (don’t wait until you’re “big enough”)
3 brilliant Brisbane podcasts I was lucky to join
I was recently a guest on these three incredible podcasts, all with hosts based in my hometown.
Lead with Courage with Cherie Canning
We recorded this in person at Cherie’s Brisbane office/studio. We dive into themes of personal branding, innovation in facilitation, and the courage required to stand out and take risks (and the power of saying "yes" to opportunities, even when they feel daunting). Hit play.
Share with Steve Hodgson
Shared so many stories on this one, including insights on how the best way to test ideas is by putting them into the world and learning from the experience. We also discuss my challenge transitioning from the corporate world to running my own biz. Tune in here.
Flourishing Unfiltered with Dr Maike Neuhaus and Kerrin Smith
So fun talking to two hosts, and listening to their post-convo debrief! In this one I share about my positive outlook (maybe we’re just born with it?!), overcoming self-doubt, and the value of taking action, rather than being stuck at the hesitation station. Watch us chat on YouTube or listen to the episode.
Join me every day on the podcast
Also… I’m sharing voice notes with you every day on Leanne on Demand.
Some of my most popular recent episodes include 🌴83. I got styled by Cate Massi: Here’s the inside scoop, 🌴71. Step aside FOMO…now I have FOBO and 🌴63. Unprofessionalism feat. Dr Myriam Hadnes
or Join me 21 May for a one-time masterclass
If you know me, you know I really love my Sunday long runs around Brisbane.
However, in the last 2 years, I’ve been sad/angered on these runs. I’ve noticed the uptake in the amount of tents along our river city. People in our community with no other option than to sleep in the cold, the rain, the heat…with no utilities.
That’s why I’m participating in the St Vinnies CEO Sleepout this year, giving up my warm bed for one night to raise funds for Australians who don’t have a home.
I’d love your support but rather it being a one-way thing, let’s make it win/win.
I’m hosting a one-time-only, live masterclass to raise money to end homelessness.
100% , yes 100% of the proceeds from this masterclass go to fighting homelessness.
How to book your masterclass seat:
Donate $50 AUD or more (fully tax-deductible in Australia) on this page.
I'll send you the secret masterclass calendar invite.
Can't make it live? You'll get the recording. Don't want to come along? You can also just donate!
This is a win-win—YOU get exclusive workshop insights, and together, we provide real support for people doing it tough. Join me to learn and help end homelessness.
🌴
P.S. I’d love to know if something here resonated with you.
Hit the heart if it did.
Or, drop a comment. I’d love to hear your take: Which of the Opportunity Openers is your strongest right now - Craft, Content, or Connection?
And welcome to Substack 😀