Active learning
I use active learning to build creative leaders and collaborative teams.
I’ve delivered workshops and programmes for clients like AstraZeneca, NHS, Adnams, University of Suffolk, Theatre Royal and Mind.
I’ve been training people in creative and critical thinking for over 15 years and I use a variety of methods including creative problem-solving, solutions focus, applied improvisation, service design and appreciative inquiry.
I also teach creative facilitation as a practice for leaders.
If you’d like to chat about professional development drop me a line.
Learning by doing
It’s no good just reaching for a textbook or e-learning video if you want to elevate teamwork, leadership and creativity.
These are things we learn by doing and that means finding new ways to listen, connect, explore, play, create, experiment and simply be.
As an experience trainer I create spaces where people feel safe and inspired to experiment with new skills, ideas and behaviours.
Here’s what happens in one of my training sessions:
We’ll use simple, playful games that help you build trust and learn by doing.
You’ll learn to stay focused, flexible and find the fun in any circumstances.
You’ll connect with others to apply the learning to everyday work (and life).
"A rare mix of insight, creativity and humour."
“Alex was a delight to work with and provided a rare mix of insight, creativity and humour.”
“The result was a stronger sense of team identity, purpose and values and the sessions were challenging and fun in equal measure which helped us shift up a gear.”
Julian Munson
Head of Enterprise Zones & Innovation, New Anglia
Improv is the gym
We all improvise everyday. It’s what we do to listen, learn and get results, and yet we rarely take the time to develop this ability.
The roots of improvised theatre go back over 400 years and the fruits of this art have blossomed into modern techniques that are relevant to our lives today.
I run an improv community in my home town and using the language and skills of improv in my work has been transformational so I want to share that with others.
It’s a pure form of learning with a playful, light touch.
Delivery options
1
60 minutes
Whether it’s a lunch & learn session or to engage and inspire, or a session after work to play and unwind together, your group will connect, collaborate and co-create in a fun, laughter-filled session. Don’t be surprised though – the learning runs deep and the ripples last a long time.
2
90 minutes
This session lets everyone connect and have fun in ways that build trust and confidence for co-creativity. We’ll explore the power of collaborative thinking and take time to reflect on how the workshop activities apply to everyday life. This is an ideal one-off session for team or group, or as part of conference or annual gathering.
3
Half day
With more time we can take a deeper dive into a theme like co-creative teamwork, personal flexibility, playful leadership or creative facilitation and apply the learning to daily working life. This is an ideal workshop for a team that wants to build more trust and get results from relationships, or for, or as part of a wider learning or CPD programme.
4
Full day
This workshop offers the opportunity for a deeper dive into creative confidence, collaboration, leadership and communication skills. We’ll explore tools for innovative thinking and develop your ability to improvise so you can adapt to any circumstance to achieve your goals. There’ll be plenty of time for participants to connect and collaborate in more advanced ways, and reflect on how the learning applies to team work, leadership and culture. This is an ideal workshop for an away day, retreat or as part of a change initiative.
"Improvisation is one of the cardinal skills for the future."
What people say...
Fast, powerful learning guaranteed.
Learning by doing. No boring waffle.
Discover the potential in yourself and others.
Anti-conventional
training
Sessions with me don’t look or sound like regular training.
I create practice spaces where people can learn by doing in a happy state of flow.
I also coach groups to distil the learning and turn playful games into rich opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Working with different learning styles, measuring impact and providing learning materials are all really important to me.
What can we do together?
I’m an experienced trainer with a focus on elevating leadership, team work, creativity and learning. Here are some things we could do together:
Improv for leaders
We can extend the range and impact of the performance choices you make through conscious habits for listening, presence and self-expression.
Improv for teamwork
Improvisation is all about cooperation so it’s perfect for building cohesive, high-performing and influential teams.
Creative confidence
I’ll help you take your groups creative confidence to the next level so you can excel at putting imagination to work.
Status & power
Using applied theatre techniques we’ll work on adapting our nonverbal behaviours to shift and equalise status & power.
Complexity & uncertainty
Improv offers a playful way to get comfortable with ‘not knowing’ and work on the skills and mindset for personal flexibility.
Facilitation as a practice
I offer training on facilitation as a practice and a performance, and how to use creative processes and applied improvisation.
