Leadership

To succeed, your organization needs team members at all levels, from senior-leadership to front-line staff, who can communicate effectively, collaborate productively, navigate conflicts constructively, and maintain a steady focus on key priorities. You want highly engaged go-getters, who can think fast on their feet and who are motivated — and equipped with the right skills — to spur creativity, think strategically, and drive innovation.

WIT@Work is here to help.

There’s a saying in improv that goes, “Play to the top of your intelligence.” That rule applies as much to the stage as it does to your business — from the boardroom to the break room, everyone should be operating at the height of their intelligence and their ability. Our clients love that the WIT@Work applied improv training program is designed to help leaders acquire the essential skills they need to succeed, while enabling employees at all levels to improve their critical communication skills.

To get started you can:
•  Schedule a meeting with WIT@Work Director John Windmueller.
•  Email work@witdc.org or call (202) 810-5911.
•  Scroll to the bottom of this page to fill out an inquiry form.
•  Download our brochure for more information.

WIT@Work’s training program provides engaging, experiential learning that drives lasting change. Participants will: 

• Develop core leadership competencies, included those aligned with OMB guidelines for Senior Leadership Programs (SLP);
• Build critical communication skills, including active listening, persuasive communication, effective presentations, and storytelling;
• Foster a culture of innovation and creative problem-solving;
• Enhance emotional intelligence, adaptability, and resilience;
• Improve collaboration and teamwork through trust-building and inclusive leadership.

Our Trainings are Expert-Led and Engaging

• Quick debriefs highlighting improv principles, connecting them to research and outlining next steps;
• Post-workshop summary with links to further research and reading;
• Active participation in improv games and exercises focused on collaboration, communication, and creativity;
• No one is ever put “on the spot” — both introverts and extroverts love our workshops!

Senior Leadership Program (SLP) Workshops

• Two-hour, half-day, and full-day workshops that align with your organization’s leadership development goals, culture, and values;
• For federal agencies, our SLP workshops can be tailored to align with OMB leadership competencies;
• Proven track record with federal agencies and private sector organizations;
• Leadership Development and SLP clients include Deloitte, Goodwill, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Department of Defense (DOD), and Department of Energy (DOE).

Communication Skills Workshops

Half-day, full-day, or continuing series of bespoke workshops focused on your choice of a menu of critical communication skills: 

• Presentation Skills: Build confidence and ability to deliver confident and persuasive presentations, including formal scripted presentations and high-stakes, off-the-cuff conversations;
  
• Sales: Delivering effective sales pitches and building client relationships;
• Storytelling: Developing and delivering compelling stories as a tool for persuasive communication;
• Customer Service and Support: Help your customer-facing team members (from IT support to hospitality workers and museum docents) better connect with and serve clients;
• Technical and Science Communication: Learn and rehearse new skills and techniques for technical experts to cut through the jargon, meet their audience where they’re at, and share their knowledge effectively;
  
• Group Facilitation: Develop skills and explore new models and tools to foster more productive meetings for both small and large groups;
  
• Negotiation and Conflict Resolution: Building and rehearsing negotiation skills and techniques for constructively addressing and resolving conflicts;
• Train the Trainer/Teacher: Give your trainers or teachers new tools and exercises to better engage learners and convey skills and lessons in a way that is memorable and sticks.

“I wanted to send you a HUGE thank you and kudos for the excellent workshop you ran for the MedStar Institute for Innovation… I’ve already had a leader ask if we can bring you back in the future, multiple people messaged me to say they loved the session, and one person referenced what she learned as we were trying to determine the way forward with a design challenge… all high compliments.”

— Mandy Dorn, MedStar Institute for Innovation

“I cannot thank you enough for bringing enormous value to our retreat last week. It was a profoundly meaningful and productive two-day gathering, so believe me when I say it’s high praise when I tell you your section was a favorite. Someone who’d come from NYC to the gathering – a self-proclaimed introvert – turned to me when you wrapped your workshop and said, ‘that was phenomenal.’  You absolutely have a winning combination of fun plus useful content plus valuable take-aways.”

— Susan Paley, National Association of Corporate Directors

“Thank you for traveling to Cleveland to participate in the Leadership Cleveland Opening Retreat. Feedback from the evaluations was excellent and it brought me joy to see people together, having fun and laughing. So needed!”

— Robert P. Kirschner, Director of Leadership Cleveland

“I attended the training you did at the Human Resources Research Organization and I wanted to thank you for it. Without exaggeration, I can honestly say that your training was one of the most valuable I’ve ever been to.”

— William D. Taylor, HumRRO (industry leader in human capital management)

WIT@Work’s Director John Windmueller has over two decades of experience designing, delivering, and overseeing professional training and graduate education focused on communication, collaboration, and creativity. In addition to his education and training background, he holds a doctorate in Conflict Analysis and Resolution and has extensive experience working as a facilitator and mediator, helping groups and communities have constructive conversations across differences.

WIT is one of the largest providers of applied improv training in the US with clients spanning a broad range of industries and sectors. The list includes Deloitte, Price Waterhouse Cooper, The Brookings Institution, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, US Department of Justice, National Security Agency, Environmental Protection Agency, Marriott International, University of Maryland Baltimore County, University of Maryland, National Public Radio, MedStar Health, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Academy of Sciences.