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First Time Facilitator · Jun 5, 2025 · 8 min

FTF256: Handling chat like a pro

Send Leanne a message Hey, thanks for tuning in today. I just wrapped up a webinar for a long-time client — an organization 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! Your name can feature on Leanne's Wall of Work Fame. Just pre-order her book by 30 Sep 2026; and follow the details to claim your star. Also, there are a ton of bulk order incentives as well! Support the show

0:00-8:46

transcript

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show notes

Send Leanne a message

Hey, thanks for tuning in today. I just wrapped up a webinar for a long-time client — an organization 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!

Your name can feature on Leanne's Wall of Work Fame.

Just pre-order her book by 30 Sep 2026; and follow the details to claim your star.

Also, there are a ton of bulk order incentives as well!

Support the show

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