I just wrapped up a webinar for a long-time client — an organisation that delivers live, critical, and completely anonymous support via webinars.

That’s right. No faces. No names. Just silence... and a flurry of comments in the chat.

So how do you respond when the comments start rolling in — especially when the stakes are high and the people on the other side might be feeling overwhelmed, unseen, or unheard?

Today, I share the 4 archetypes I’ve created to explain the choices we have when responding to chat — in real-time, whether you're on a livestream, hosting a masterclass, or even navigating in-person Q&A.

🌀 The Fog – You miss the moment

👀 The Birdwatcher – You see it, let it fly

👂 The Listener – You acknowledge, but don’t fix

🗺 The Guide – You go there, with intention

We also talk:

• When verbatim responses can be powerful
• The risk of paraphrasing (and how to check in)
• Why sometimes, the most generous thing is to not engage
• How time and engagement form a decision-making matrix when you’re live

If you ever find yourself juggling incoming comments with a tight run sheet, this one’s for you.

Let me know which archetype you default to — and if you’ve found any hacks for managing emotional or high-stakes chat in live sessions.

Speak tomorrow!

*New* You're invited to join Leanne's free community, Work Fame. (https://www.workfa.me/)

Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com

P.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are three ways I can help:

1. Watch My 2025 Speaker Reel: Let's energise your next event. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9RyOeXZfW4)
2. Get My Book: Design your workshops fast using The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint (https://2hourwork.shop/) . 
3. Red Carpet Campout: Inspire, Indulge, Invent. Let’s take your ideas outside in (https://www.leannehughes.com/events/red-carpet-campout) June 2025.

Let's connect on all the channels:

Leanne Hughes on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannehughes/)

Leanne Hughes on Instagram (https://instagram.com/leannehughes)

Visit my website: leannehughes.com (https://www.leannehughes.com)

Email me: hello@leannehughes.com

Would you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio (https://helloaudio.fm?fpr=leanne17) .