Applied Learning Partnerships with Academic Institutions

Bringing Management Science to Life — Together

Over the years I’ve partnered with my alma mater, INSEAD, to support the delivery of executive education programmes. From theory to application, I collaborate closely with professors and programme directors to help translate academic concepts into real-world, actionable learning for executive participants.

My work is consistently recognized as original, impactful, and aligned with each programme’s learning outcomes — especially in the domains of innovation and leadership in complex environments.

Before founding Agile OD, I built my career as a banker and serial startup entrepreneur, bringing over 25 years of front-line business experience into the classroom (full bio). Today, Agile OD is a thriving collective of 30+ expert coaches and consultants who help organizations — large and small — succeed in driving change, transformation, and innovation that lasts.

Putting Innovation in Practice through Experiential Learning

I am typically invited to contribute to programmes focused on developing participants’ learning capabilities for innovation. My expertise spans Agile, Design Thinking, behavioral change, leadership development and Organization Development (OD) — all critical for thriving in uncertainty, complexity, and rapid transformation.

I deliver my work through four core modalities:

Thought Leadership & Approach in Practice

I write prolifically about change, leadership, and innovation — sharing insights drawn from real client work: the questions, breakthroughs, and patterns that emerge in the field. To give you a better sense of my work and thinking, I invite you to explore these resources:

Testimonials

Hellmut Schütte — Emeritus Professor of International Management, INSEAD

Takeshi joined me as a faculty member to co-create and deliver a new programme on AI for very senior executives who were eager to launch their own businesses or charitable projects after leaving their corporate roles. He was initially brought in to handle the technical side of AI, but quickly revealed himself to be so much more – an authentic guide with remarkable credibility and genuine empathy for the participants. Thanks to his insight and energy, AI Ventures became INSEAD Lifelong Learning’s most popular programme. I can wholeheartedly recommend Takeshi to any academic institution looking to run similarly ambitious and inspiring seminars.

Loïc Sadoulet — Affiliate Professor of Economics, INSEAD

Takeshi and I partner up regularly on interesting – and often challenging – programmes, and every collaboration reminds me why he’s such an asset to the executive programmes we deliver at INSEAD. He brings a rare combination of deep business experience, academic insight, and original, experiential approaches that make learning both practical and transformative. I tend to be the one opening up the ideas; he’s the one who moves them from ideas to implementation.

I’ve seen this in several quite different settings, from guiding a sports retailer through agile experimentation, to helping an advanced analytics firm shift from saying yes to everything to confidently leading their customers, to designing powerful experiential exercises that bring agile development to life for senior management groups.

What I value most is how Takeshi bridges theory and application, helping participants not just understand complex concepts but turn them into actionable strategies for innovation, leadership, and organizational agility. His energy, resourcefulness, and ability to adapt to every group make working with him a truly rewarding experience.

Over the years, I’ve watched him work with executives facing uncertainty and complexity, leaving them more confident and better equipped to lead change and drive innovation. I can’t wait for our next adventure together! Takeshi and his Agile OD collective really create impact that lasts.

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