The career advice a 6’5” bestselling author gave me over dinner
Three lessons (disguised as netball tips) that will change how you show up
This week, I spent 48 hours hiking through Melbourne with strangers, discussing poetry and thought-provoking, introspective questions.
At the final dinner, my friend Steph Clarke and I were chatting about fun events, and scheming a little pop-up pickleball event (that would be fun, right?).
My brain immediately jumped to corporate team tournaments, and then I had a thought: I've been wanting to create a netball team for ages.
I glance around the table and spot Michael Bungay Stanier. He's the author of The Coaching Habit, which has sold over a million copies.
He’s also tall at 6'5".
Which, in my opportunistic netball recruiter brain, meant one thing: We need him on court in a Goal Shooter (GS) bib.
The fact I don’t actually have a netball team? Irrelevant.
The fact he’s never played netball? Even better.
So, I tap him on the shoulder to talk netball and what started as a ridiculous dinner-party draft turned into the most useful career conversation I’ve had all year.
And because I’ve got a daily podcast, you better believe I hit record.
Here’s what I learnt…
Three lessons (disguised as netball tips) that will change how you show up
1. Be the target
My first coaching tip: “Stand near the post, arm up, so I know where to pass the ball.”
Michael’s take: “Be a target. Most people shy away from that because it feels loaded. You don’t want a target on your back. But if you’re trying to make a difference, you need to be found. People need to see you, hear you. You’ve got to ask: who needs to find me, and how can I help them? You have to have the courage to say: I am a target. I will be a target, and I'll help people find the target.”
Nice one.
The best shooters are visible, strong, create space and make it easy for you to pass to them.
But I know so many smart, capable people play small because they don’t want to stand tall, take space, or be the target. For them it feels a bit cringe, like they’re showing off. They sit quietly, keep their heads down, and hope hard work will “speak for itself.”
Unfortunately, it rarely does.
How do the right people find you?
Raise your hand and speak up in strategy meetings (even if your idea isn’t fully formed).
Send the thoughtful follow-up email after the presentation.
Ask a question during the global all-hands meeting.
Speak at industry events, even the small local ones.
Post an actual opinion online (not something watered down).
2. Position for the pass
My second coaching tip: “You need to keep moving. Reposition to where the ball is on court”
Michael’s response: “Who needs to find you? What does it take to claim your space and get ready for the ball?”
Positioning isn't a one-off decision. It's a daily habit. A conscious choice about where you show up, who you connect with, and how easy you make it for decision-makers to notice your impact.
Most people cluster in safe zones: The same colleagues, the same networks, the same conversations… And wonder why they don’t get new opportunities.
You need to intentionally pattern interrupt where and how you show up.
Sometimes it's reading more widely. Watching YouTube videos that the algorithm doesn't serve up. It's going to an event that technically doesn't make sense, but as a result you meet different people.
Reflect on:
Are you having coffee with colleagues in your own department, or are you building relationships across the business?
Are you only networking within your existing industry, or are you positioning yourself where your ideal clients gather?
When industry publications are looking for expert commentary, are you pitching yourself or assuming they'll find someone else?
3. You get more than one shot
My third coaching tip: “Let's say we're getting the ball to you but hey, you might be having an off-day and miss some shots. We need to change the strategy. I might need to step up and take more shots. But we still need you there for the rebound.”
Michael laughed at the idea of the single perfect attempt:
”Often people think look, I've got one shot at this (you know, the Eminem song). Actually, no, you don't have one shot at life. Woody Allen (who's sometimes problematic to quote) says, 90% of success is just showing up. We all miss our shots all the time.
Failure is part of what it means to do important work. You're willing to take on the struggle and the certainty that it won't work out, and then you need to ask: What do I do from here? How do I get ready for the rebound? How do I get ready for what's next?
It's never about the goal. It's about getting reset for the next play.”
Liberating, right?
When I played netball, I actually used to physically dust off both my hands after a missed shot. It was my trigger to move on and not worry about it.
The worst thing you can do is think about that missed shot when you're lining up the next one.
I love this concept of life retakes.
The majority of the time, you do get to re-take the shot (Except when you’re Irene Van Dyk shooting to win for New Zealand in the 1999 World Cup Championship, here’s a clip of my favourite sporting moment).
The myth of the single perfect shot is what keeps most people on the sidelines.
But what feels like a "miss" in the moment can actually set you up for something better later.
What this really means for your career
If you’re trying to make an impact right now, here are three helpful questions to consider:
Where do you need to stand taller?
How are you positioning yourself?
How will you rebound if you miss?
How I helped 300 leaders crack the code on engagement
Last month, I delivered my keynote The Dark Arts of Engagement to 300+ education leaders at QASEL Con. Here’s the video highlights.
The feedback? “I was so inspired at the recent QASEL conference! I have already put into practice changes/improvements in how I engage people in PD topics. Thanks for such inspiring presentations, you enriched my experience at QASEL so much! And have made significant changes in my ways of working, which has positively impacted my team."
That’s exactly why I’m taking this work on the road. In October, I’ll be running QASEL’s one-day workshop series across Brisbane (Leading PD That Lands) and you can join us.
🎤 And for 2026? I’m already locking in conferences and off-sites. If you need a keynote that blends high energy, practical tools, and yes, a little magic, let’s talk dates now.
If this resonates, tap the heart 💙 below or share it with someone who needs to hear it. And if you've got your own story about unexpected career advice, drop it in the comments.
🌴
Leanne “Recruiting tall friends since 2025” Hughes
P.S. Join Alan Weiss and me for Talk the Walk: The Hidden Power of Quitting (2 October, 5pm ET / October, 7am AEST.) We're exploring why sometimes the smartest career move isn't taking another shot, it's knowing when to walk away.
Love MBS!