Executive Leadership Improvised

The art & science of connection: exclusively for senior leaders

About the leadership progam

This is NOT your usual leadership course. It’s limited exclusively to CEOs and Senior executives from a diverse range of industries with a maximum of ten places available. It’s for leaders who want to take the courageous step forward in their development.

Executives are increasingly being demanded to do more with less and the complexity of the ever-changing world of business can sap you of your creative spark as you lose connection with your intuitive self.

The Facilitator

Wade Jackson is a double world championship winning improviser who works by day as a high performance coach and by night as an improv comedian. He is the founder and artistic director of the Covert Theatre in Ponsonby – the only improv venue in New Zealand. 

Wade has worked on four continents including as a leadership consultant to the Singapore Armed Forces, a peak performance strategist in Silicon Valley and his worked is endorsed by world leading thinkers such as Stephen Covey and Edward de Bono.

With over 30 years on performing on stages around the world and with the stars of TV’s Whose Line Is It Anyway? Wade ensures a mind-blowing experience like no other.   

Overview

Executive Leadership Improvised is about connection and surrendering – connecting with yourself and others and surrendering to the present moment, accepting what is. Over three months you’ll build strong relationships with other senior leaders while exploring improvisation and gaining all that it has to teach. Plus you’ll laugh like you haven’t laughed before.  

The art of improvisation, known as one of the most collaborative art forms is also one of the most liberating. Its benefits are immediately transferable to your professional and personal life. Not only will this make you a better leader but also a better partner, parent, friend and human being.   

2026 Dates:

The commitment is in May two days, in June 1 day, in July 2 days with an evening dinner on the first and last day.

Dates will be finalised based on participants availability.

It is run onsite at the Covert Theatre in Ponsonby, Auckland.

Investment

$6,750 + GST

In-house

The Executive Leadership Improvised program can be modified and run in-house with senior executive teams. 

"I wholeheartedly recommend the Executive Leadership Improvised program to anyone looking to enhance their leadership and communication skills. This program masterfully blends creativity with practice, empowering participants to think on their feet, adapt to challenges, and foster collaboration in high-pressure environments. In a world that feels like it’s becoming more ambiguous and less predictable by the day, it’s one way to help executives with tools to lead confidently and innovatively in today’s dynamic business world.”

Benefits

Leadership

• Heightened self-awareness

• Experience being fully present and out of your head

• Feel inspired and tap into your intuition more

• Develop a Beginner’s Mind

Creative Thinking

• Learn to thrive and make informed decisions in uncertain and unpredictable environments

• Sharpen your strategic thinking and decision-making skills

• Learn to approach complex problems with a clear mind

• Equip yourself with the skills to pivot quickly and respond effectively to unseen challenges

• Strengthen your mental and emotional agility

• Develop better spontaneity and creative thinking skills

Collaboration

• Cultivate a comfortable attitude towards ambiguity and not-knowing

• Lose the pressure of having to always be correct and embrace the act of failing

• Enhance your listening skills and work better as a team member

• Build a strong support network

Well-being

• Release executive pressure, enhance well-being

• Build your resilience and compassion

• Re-connect with your fun, playful self

Storytelling

• Strengthen your communication and storytelling skills

• Improve your physical presence

• Enhance your ability to inspire and influence others

And more!

"Executive leadership needs improvising now more than ever. I've done a fair amount of personal development and leadership training over the years. But recently I found myself thinking how improv could apply to my life today - as a CEO leading a scaling technology company. Was the Executive Leadership course what I expected? Absolutely not. Was it easy? Definitely not on day one. But.. by day five? *Magic* happened. The way Wade structured the program, curated the cohort of executives, created a safe space and guided us through practical improv exercises - this has been all I hoped for and then some. I have come out of this with new skills and an updated mindset - particularly in the areas of storytelling, collaboration and ability to think on my feet. Wade is an intelligent and experienced guide, who leads with humility, humour and a genuine kindness that is rare and engaging. I highly recommend working with Wade if you are an executive trying to stair step your leadership.”