throw & catch consulting

Turn Dropped Balls Into Breakthroughs
Inspired by a juggling kit from his grandmother, Tom Hicks delivers a fun, hands-on keynote/workshop that transforms the fear of failure into fuel for growth. Embracing Failure & Growth Through Juggling blends laughter, resilience, and connection, giving participants a safe space to try, fail, and try again—while building trust, adaptability, and a true growth mindset. Perfect for teams, schools, and organizations ready to strengthen culture, spark collaboration, and leave with lessons that last long after the balls stop flying. Are you ready to juggle?

Email tom@throwcatchlead.com to learn more about this keynote/workshop.

Why Failure, Growth, & Juggling?
Innovation & Adaptability
By creating a safe space for teams to try, fail, and try again, this workshop builds resilience and adaptability - critical skills for navigating change and driving innovation.

Leadership Development
Leaders experience firsthand how to model vulnerability, encourage experimentation, and turn setbacks into learning moments, enhancing their ability to guide others through uncertainty.

Sustainable Culture of Learning
Linking play with practical reflection embeds a mindset of continuous improvement, creating a culture that celebrates growth over perfection.

About Tom
Tom Hicks is the founder and CJO (Chief Juggling Officer) of Throw & Catch Consulting based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He provides practical and fun leadership development experiences that blend storytelling, reflection, and active learning to create deeper connections while playing with a purpose for individuals, teams, and organizations. Tom has worked at all levels in higher education for the past 20+ years and has adapted several of his most popular campus-based workshops for organizations of all types. When he’s not on campus or conducting workshops, Tom enjoys cycling and traveling with his wife Megan and cheering on their daughter Emily in all of her activities. (Bio and Workshop Description)

Mantra - Be Competent, Curious, & Kind

Our team LOVED Tom's Embracing Failure & Growth Through Juggling workshop! It was an engaging and interactive experience that provided space for us to (1) try something new (juggling) which was vulnerable and helped us connect on a deeper level in a fun way, (2) reflect on how we navigate failure as individuals, and (3) discuss how we could expand on creating a culture of learning and growth. I would highly recommend this workshop to any team seeking an entertaining and practical leadership development experience.

Lindsay Leahy
Executive, Leadership & Transformation Coach
USA Today Best-Selling Author
Founder and Dream Builder at The Restoration Project

We invited Tom to share his Embracing Failure & Growth Through Juggling workshop with over 100 leaders as part of our Empowered Leaders program. He gave participants a safe way to practice low-stakes failure, celebrate learning over perfection, and set the stage for company-specific training on behavior change and shared language. The sessions were engaging, fun, and energizing—Tom’s mix of stories, activities, and celebration kept us focused (even after lunch!) One executive remarked, “I haven’t played at work like this in a long time, and I feel so rejuvenated and creative!” I highly recommend this workshop for all levels of your organization.

Kris Lehman

Vice President for Human Resources

Goodwill of the Heartland

Past Clients & Partners

Greater Iowa City, Inc.

Zach Johnson Foundation
Kids on Course

Goodwill of the Heartland

Hampton School District (IL)

Additional Workshops & Tools

Clear Communication with the Know, Feel, Do Method

Job Search and Interview Toolkit for Education Professionals

Your True Colors in Life and Work

DISC Behavior Assessment

Get In Touch

tom@throwcatchlead.com

Disclaimer: This "website" [throwcatchlead.com] is a personal business endeavor and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the University of Iowa.
Any references to interviews or activities conducted at the University are included for informational purposes only and do not imply institutional support or involvement.