JOHN SWEENEY BIO
John Sweeney has captured the imagination of the most innovative companies and business leaders in the world. Not because a quote from his first book was published on millions and millions of Starbucks coffee cups. And not because he danced shirtless on national television earning him “Fan of the Year” accolades from the Today Show. But rather, we believe John’s success has come about as a result of how deeply and effectively his Speed of Laughter programs have resonated with forward-thinking leaders and the employees they lead.
John is an author, keynote speaker, trainer, improviser, comedic performer, and owner of the nation’s oldest satirical comedy theatre, the Brave New Workshop (BNW). His story begins in 1993, when his love for the art of improvisational theatre compelled him to leave a successful career in corporate real estate and become a full time actor and improviser. After buying the Brave New Workshop in 1997, John quickly combined his instinct for business with his understanding of improvisation to write Innovation at the Speed of Laughter – a book which firmly launched the theatre’s corporate services division as well as a speaking and training career that includes a 40-foot RV and travel to more than 100 client events each year.
One of John’s first corporate clients, Phil Fawcett, a Microsoft employee since 1985, expressed it like this, “I have worked one on one with both Stephen Covey and Tom Peters and I find John Sweeney's ideas to be as valuable. His message and methods are fantastic!” Since that kind remark more than five years ago, John has trained and entertained hundreds of companies and thousands of business leaders using the Speed of Laughter programs.
John’s message and methods are based on the simple core belief that everyone has unlimited creativity and improvisational ability locked inside them but rarely are they self-motivated to express that best self in the workplace. John’s interactive programs help audiences appreciate and actively practice tapping into that innate improvisational nature and skill set. Using the 8 Secrets described in Innovation at the Speed of Laughter, John humorously and actively bridges the principles of improvisation to key business challenges. Whether helping individuals, teams, and leaders to improve focus, engagement, and productivity in times of chaos, achieve greater innovation, or renew enthusiasm one feels for their workplace, John is undeniable in his energy to compel people toward their better selves. His insightful, hands-on-and-up approach, along with his authentic performer’s instinct, have helped BNW Corporate Services build an extensive list of repeat clients.
Raised on a farm near Madison, John attained a BBA from Saint Norbert College in Wisconsin. Prior to performing at, and then buying, the Brave New Workshop (BNW) in Minneapolis, John performed hundreds of shows for Second City Communications in Chicago. To this day, should you visit his little theatre in Minneapolis, you just may find John jumping into an improv set on the theatre's mainstage. An event not to be missed.
John has been featured in Leadership Excellence, Talent Management, Investor’s Business Daily, Executive Traveler, Madison Magazine, How magazine, and in a variety of other publications. You may have even witnessed John’s comedic talents on the Today Show or in video clips on ESPN.
