John Guarnero
Keynote Speaker, Breakout Sessions, Lead Facilitator
Jackson, Wisconsin, United States
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John Guarnero is a Business Intelligence Leader, speaker, professional improviser, and workshop facilitator who helps professionals strengthen communication, leadership presence, adaptability, and workplace relationships. With more than 25 years of improvisation experience, over 150 facilitated workshops, and more than 800 professional improv performances, John combines practical business experience with engaging experiential learning techniques.
John's workshops focus on helping individuals build confidence, communicate more effectively, and develop meaningful connections in the workplace. Known for his interactive and approachable facilitation style, he creates learning experiences that are both engaging and immediately applicable to the realities of today's work environment.
Area of Expertise
Topics
Finding Your Voice: Speaking Up, Influencing Others, and Leading with Confidence
Many talented professionals have ideas worth sharing but hesitate to speak up. Whether contributing in meetings, providing feedback, advocating for themselves or others, or challenging the status quo, the ability to communicate with confidence and assertiveness is essential for leadership and career growth.
This interactive workshop helps participants develop the mindset and skills needed to speak up with confidence while remaining authentic and approachable. Attendees will explore common barriers that prevent people from sharing their ideas, including fear of judgment, self-doubt, overthinking, and workplace dynamics. Through experiential activities, self-reflection, and practical communication strategies, participants will learn how to express their thoughts clearly, advocate for their perspectives, and contribute more effectively in professional settings.
Drawing on principles from leadership development, communication, and applied improvisation, this workshop provides a safe environment for participants to practice speaking up, build confidence through action, and discover how their voice can positively influence conversations, decisions, and workplace culture.
Participants will leave with practical techniques that can be immediately applied in meetings, presentations, team discussions, and everyday workplace interactions.
Key Benefits and Takeaways
Participants will:
Identify personal barriers and limiting beliefs that may prevent them from speaking up and being heard.
Learn practical techniques for communicating assertively without appearing aggressive or confrontational.
Develop greater confidence when sharing ideas, providing feedback, asking questions, and expressing opinions.
Practice strategies for increasing influence and visibility regardless of role or title.
Create a personal action plan for using their voice more effectively in everyday workplace situations.
How the Session Will Be Interactive
This workshop is highly experiential and designed to help participants build confidence through practice rather than observation.
Participants will engage in:
Partner-based exercises that explore confidence, listening, and communication habits.
Small-group activities that demonstrate the impact of assertive communication and constructive self-advocacy.
Guided reflection exercises to help participants identify opportunities where they can speak up more effectively.
Interactive communication challenges that allow participants to practice techniques in a supportive, low-risk environment.
Facilitated group discussions and debriefs that connect workshop experiences to real workplace situations.
Throughout the session, attendees will actively participate, share insights, experiment with new communication approaches, and develop strategies they can immediately apply in their professional lives.
Need Microphone and ability to display powerpoint. This can be in-person or vitual.
Leading Without a Script: Practical Improv Skills for Building Trust, Connection, and Adaptability
Today's leaders are navigating increasing uncertainty, rapid change, and growing expectations to build meaningful human connections in the workplace. While many leadership programs focus on strategy and process, few teach leaders how to be present, adaptable, and responsive in real-time interactions.
Drawing on more than 25 years of professional improvisation experience and years of facilitating workshops for business professionals, this highly interactive workshop introduces practical improvisation principles that translate directly to leadership effectiveness. Participants will experience simple yet powerful exercises that strengthen active listening, adaptability, relationship-building, and communication skills. Through experiential activities, reflection, and discussion, attendees will discover how the mindset and practices of improvisation can help leaders build trust, respond more effectively to change, and create stronger connections within their teams.
Rather than learning about leadership concepts, participants will practice them. The session provides immediately applicable tools that leaders can use to improve collaboration, communicate with greater impact, and create environments where people feel heard, valued, and engaged.
Key Benefits and Takeaways
Participants will:
Learn practical techniques to improve active listening and increase presence during everyday conversations and meetings.
Strengthen their ability to adapt and respond effectively when plans change or uncertainty arises.
Discover how trust is built through small, consistent leadership behaviors and interactions.
Practice communication approaches that foster greater connection, collaboration, and engagement.
Leave with actionable tools that can be immediately applied to leadership, team development, and workplace relationships.
Interactive Session Design
This workshop is designed as a highly experiential learning experience where participants learn by doing.
Attendees will engage in:
Partner-based communication exercises that demonstrate the impact of listening, presence, and attention.
Small-group activities that highlight adaptability, collaboration, and trust-building behaviors.
Guided reflection discussions to connect workshop experiences with real-world leadership challenges.
Whole-group debriefs that allow participants to share observations, insights, and practical applications.
Facilitated learning conversations that translate each exercise into actionable leadership practices.
Every activity is designed to be approachable, inclusive, and immediately applicable to workplace situations. Participants will leave having experienced leadership principles firsthand rather than simply hearing about them.
Need Microphone and be able to display PowerPoint. Very interactive and fun session.
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