The city of 'yes'
Field notes from my first work gig in Bangkok
Hey from Bangkok! I’ve been here about 20 times (love the city, it’s why my car number plate is BANGKOK… true story! ), but this is the first time I’ve actually done a work gig over here - and it was such a great experience!
While I can’t dive into specific client details, I wanted to share with you some of the highlights and lessons learnt.
A ‘Make it happen’ attitude
There are so many reasons why Bangkok is my favourite city on earth (here’s a podcast episode on 10-12 reasons why I love it) but for this trip specifically, one reason stands out - in amongst all the chaos and traffic, things just magically seem to get done here.
For example, at 7pm the night before I was hosting a gala awards dinner, I decided I wanted to wear a new dress at the event. I walked into a tailor shop, saw some beautiful fabric, and asked if it were possible to have this made into a dress by 4pm the next day.
Without hesitation, she said yes. She sketched the potential dress, made amendments, and measured me up. She rang the venue to confirm someone there would be responsible for handing me the dress the following day. She buzzed her best tailor, gave him the measurements, added me on WhatsApp (and gave me other number details), and assured me it would be there.
It arrived 30mins before I had to be ready…And thankfully, it fit (phew)!
I love this ‘can do’ spirit in the city.
Your turn: How could you make the impossible possible this week with a few phone calls? What's stopping you from making the first one?
Hosting a multilingual workshop
Tim Ferguson and the Audience Communication Team brought me in to co-host and co-design part of the experience. They're exceptional at what they do, and it was a privilege to work alongside them.
The session brought together delegates from three language groups, and seeing meaningful conversations happen across those differences was one of the highlights of the week.
Three things to share with you:
1. Visuals do a lot of the heavy lifting
When people aren’t all speaking the same language, visuals become even more valuable as a connection ‘anchor’. Photos, colours, emojis and countdown timers all helped create shared understanding without relying on lots of words.
2. Preparation makes translation feel effortless
One thing I learnt was just how much preparation goes into supporting simultaneous translation. The better prepared the speakers are, the smoother the experience is for everyone.
While I LOVE going off-script, this is not the time to do it. Lock in your script, keep 90-95% on that script, because there is tremendous value in the translators understanding intent and delivering your message in real time, without the 10-15 second lag.
On that note, it’s so important to SPEAK SLOWLY, speak precisely and pause regularly. Use your body language to convey messages, for example, if you say the number 3, hold up 3 fingers.
3. Leverage the tech
Translation tools have come a long way. Delegates could use their phones to instantly translate notes and ideas shared by people from other markets, making it much easier to learn from one another. Rather than becoming a distraction, the technology helped remove barriers and encouraged more conversations.
Your turn: If you had to design a session where language wasn’t a shared resource, what’s one thing you’d lean on to create connection anyway? What tips can you give me?
Working with great partners
It was so invigorating to be working as part of a team honestly. As a solo consultant, I’m usually doing it all. And I do love that - there’s autonomy in it, freedom to make decisions, etc.
But I do LOVE working with other people - so to be part of a dynamic group of people, working towards a common goal was a lovely change. It was so good purely focus on design and hosting, and letting the talented production team cover everything else - printing things out, logistics, details, liasing with multiple stakeholders, event space, tech, calendar invites, etc. I got to work in my zone of genius and loved every minute.Your turn: When did you last get to work purely in your zone of genius - and what would it take to create more of that?
In short - host your event in Bangkok. The sublime hospitality, the fact you can get tailor-made outfits sewn overnight, that after a big day you can get a 1 hr foot massage, eat the most amazing food... it is incredible.
One day, I’d love to take a small group of people to Bangkok and maybe mastermind/show them exactly why I love this city. One day!
Can’t get to Bangkok? Steal the spirit anyway! The tailor's 'yes, let’s do this' attitude works just as well from your office, your neighbourhood, or wherever you happen to be.
Hit the heart 💙 and tell me...
What’s your favourite city to work in?
🌴
Leanne “Off to order another dress” Hughes
P.S. Speaking of great events - today is the last day to lock in your 2027 Con Con ticket at a lower rate. I'm closing the doors and re-opening ticket sales from 4 September.