The Agility Group

We’re headed to the Applied Improvisation Network conference—and bringing two legends with us. Well, their ideas, at least. Our session explores the foundational philosophies of Del Close and Keith Johnstone—not from a textbook, but from personal experience. Richard studied with Del at Improv Olympic in Chicago. William trained with Keith at BATS in San Francisco and in Canada. We’ll be sharing what we learned from them, how their wildly different approaches shaped modern improv, and how those roots continue to shape the way we apply improv in the real world. It’s part homage, part hands-on—and definitely not a debate (though we’re not ruling out a few good-natured jabs). If you’re coming to AIN, we’d love to see you in the room. #AIN2025 #AppliedImprovisation #DelClose #KeithJohnstone #Improvisation #ExperientialLearning #TheAgilityGroup

Life-size William & Richard are much bigger than these action figures. And so are the interactive keynotes and workshops where they lead audiences through activities and exercises that give them the Three Rules of Improvisation: Deep Listening, Being Present in the Moment, and Collaboration that “Yes …and” brings. Hurry, supplies are limited. Operators are standing by!!!

The world feels like it’s running on fast-forward. Markets are shifting. Industries are transforming. Remote, hybrid, and in-office work keep colliding. One crisis fades, another emerges. Stability? That’s a relic of the past. So how do you build a team that doesn’t just endure the chaos—but thrives in it? You give them the tools to listen deeply, think on their feet, and collaborate like pros. The best teams don’t just react to change—they play with it, innovate through it, and turn uncertainty into opportunity. If your next training or incentive event isn’t preparing your people for the unexpected, what is it doing? #Leadership #Agility #Innovation #Teamwork #ThrivingInChange

I love diving into books by experts—those who analyze problems with studies and data. But there’s something equally powerful about conversations with people whose lived experiences give them a unique window into human behavior. This quick chat with a retail clerk was one of those moments. Sometimes, the most insightful truths come from unexpected places.

A team that STARTS the year together, SUCCEEDS together. New Year, fresh goals, and big ambitions. But does your team feel connected, aligned, and ready to go? Whether you're planning an offsite, retreat, or 2025 kickoff, The Agility Group brings teams together with connection, purpose, and a shot of creative energy. Let’s make 2025 your team’s strongest start yet. www.TheAgilityGroup.net #TeamBuilding #LeadershipDevelopment #CorporateRetreat #EmployeeEngagement #NewYear2025 #WorkplaceCulture #ProfessionalGrowth #BusinessSuccess

A team that STARTS the year together, SUCCEEDS together. New Year, fresh goals, and big ambitions. But does your team feel connected, aligned, and ready to go? Whether you're planning an offsite, retreat, or 2025 kickoff, The Agility Group brings teams together with connection, purpose, and a shot of creative energy. Let’s make 2025 your team’s strongest start yet. www.TheAgilityGroup.net #TeamBuilding #LeadershipDevelopment #CorporateRetreat #EmployeeEngagement #NewYear2025 #WorkplaceCulture #ProfessionalGrowth #BusinessSuccess

Can a skill be both simple and powerful? You can practice this skill every day. At The Agility Group we focus on the skills that make stronger teams and leaders.

Who’s made a big difference in your career (or life)? I can still remember the day my good friends Kat Koppett and ★Rebecca Stockley insisted I check out Thiagi’s work in the training world. I had been happily teaching improvisation to business groups for a few years, feeling pretty good about myself (thanks to some inspiration from the legendary Keith Johnstone). But then came the game-changer: Thiagi. [Sivasailam Thiagarajan] Everything. Changed. If you know Thiagi, you know exactly what I’m talking about. If you don’t, let me be the Kat and Rebecca in your life: check out Thiagi! So when Richard Laible (my business partner) and I spent two days this month with Thiagi, Matthew Richter, and an awesome group of trainers, it was like reconnecting with a fountain of wisdom. I’ve had the privilege of learning from Thiagi and Matt several times over the years, and even co-facilitated some of their workshops. But this time, it was about refreshing, learning, and sharing it all with Richard. The workshop was packed with insight into teaching theories, engagement strategies, and how to empower participants to own their learning journey. Thiagi’s clever "Jolts" (have you tried "Twisty Hands"?) and his famous "Frame Games" (like the "Hello Game") made the days fly by. And let’s not forget the classic back-and-forth between Matt and Thiagi, whose lively discussions about learning theory added an extra layer of depth to the experience (with Matt name-dropping books and authors faster than anyone could keep up with!). But the real magic? Watching Thiagi demonstrate how to lead an activity like "By The Numbers." It’s a brilliant exercise that shows how a group tends to cling to the first answer they come up with—and how a well-timed debrief can reveal the value of searching beyond the obvious. After a few participants ran the activity, Thiagi stepped in and completely flipped the approach. Same activity, new delivery style. Mind. Blown. 💥 At The Agility Group, we’re always curious, always learning, and always seeking ways to inspire transformational change. We stand on the shoulders of giants like Thiagi, whose work continues to guide and shape what we do. How about you?  - Who has influenced the way you teach?  - Have you used any of Thiagi’s activities? How did they work for you? Links: The Thigai Group: https://www.thiagi.com/ By The Numbers Activity: https://lnkd.in/gSfuEQqc Keith Johnstone: https://lnkd.in/gtw8uJwY The Agility Group: https://lnkd.in/ghBy8H_3

🚀The Agility Group are stepping up our game! We’re excited to join the legendary Sivasailam Thiagarajan, Matthew Richter, and a group of sharp minds from around the world for two days of high-energy experiential learning in Indianapolis. Because, let’s be honest… who wouldn’t want to learn from the best and build skills that make work feel less like “work” and more like an improv show? Ready to level up and bring even more creativity to our clients. Stay tuned for stories that will make you wish you were there! The workshop: https://lnkd.in/ggRifveF #ExperientialLearning #AgileOutcomes #TheAgilityGroup #ProfessionalDevelopment #Thiagi

ONE WEEK TO GO! Getting so excited!! The Agility Group is heading to Indy for a 2-day program with Sivasailam Thiagarajani and Matthew Richter entitled, "INTERACTIVE TECHNIQUES FOR LEARNING" (based on their new book). Getting geared up to learn their different modules including: Openers, Interactive Lectures, Textra Activities, Assessment-Based Learning Activities (ABLAs), Jolts, Board Games, Card Games, Role Play, Interactive Storytelling, Structured Sharing, and Closers. See you on the other side ....