Steve Richards

The travelling anthropologist

I have heard powerful stories all over the world.

I have met amazing people all over the world.

At every turn, I have learnt about others, and about myself.

Someone else's everyday reality can be the most exciting narrative there is. Other people's struggles can help us get in touch with our own inner selves. And being someone who listens is one of the most important things in life.

My inner self? I'm filled with a love of places, culture, and people. And a love of stories.

I don't know if it is nature or nurture: I learnt to walk in Canada, my first memory is in South Africa at two years of age. I bounced around the world for 15 years for both work and pleasure. But I can get on with, connect, and relate to people from all backgrounds.

That means I can build bridges. I can give great advice. I can guide whoever might need guiding. My many years of cross-cultural communication have made me an expert in engagement - you are looking for personal brand transformation, or to find the story in what you do, I can help.

I am open, accepting, and embrace diversity. This is true in my work and private lives.

Of course, I don't know exactly where this started. But my background is eclectic. A childhood spent across several countries led me to a career in international development. A successful one.

In turn, this brought me to Jago. I co-founded the company in 2014 after realising how valuable my experience with entrepreneurs in emerging economies could be for business owners everywhere, especially when coupled with my anthropological background.

I wanted to be at home with my young family after years of adventure, but I still wanted to make a difference by helping people reach their potential.

That's what I do with Jago. I'm proud of it.

I have trained and practiced as an Anthropologist (study of human societies and cultures and their development). Our research methodology is ethnography, where we spend at least a year immersed in a particular culture as a participant observer. I have undertaken ethnographies amongst; Mahayana Buddhists, Shamans, Rastas and Nairobians.

I use my skills in Anthropology to facilitate leaders in understanding and developing their identity, to answer that age old question humans ask, 'who am I?".

I also draw upon emotional intelligence. Effective EQ is one of the key factors behind successful people.

As an EQ-i 2.0 qualified coach I assess, then support leaders to interpret and understand their EQ scores.

Then coach them to develop and manage their emotional intelligence to enhance their awareness, behaviour, performance and increase their social and emotional well being.

I concentrate on helping leaders reach their potential by mastering their reputation

Why is this needed? Often, personal brand positioning is off. You might know how to position your company, but do you know how to position yourself?

I can help. Together, we can sort through the noise, the clutter of who you are and what you love, and find essential insights. We will find the perfect brand position for you, personally.

This is achieved through personal development, strategy and storytelling. First, though, it is achieved through encouragement. Together, we will get you ready to put yourself out there and succeed by being your true self.

To talk about how I could help you or your business master your reputation using EQ, storytelling, and strategy, get in touch.

Recommendations

Justin Onuekwusi, CIO, St.James Place

I approached Steve and Jago for two key reasons.

Firstly, I wanted to get a better understanding of myself and my personal brand.

Secondly, it's clear that personal branding, and putting yourself "out there" comes with a risk of slipping up. This can look like coming across as as inauthentic, or simply saying the wrong things. What really stood out about Jago was how the team worked to understand me as a person and to bring that authentic voice to how I communicate. Through attentive listening, Steve skillfully crafted a strategy that included strategic guidance, emotional intelligence coaching and a phenomenal personal branding workshop for my EnCircle group. The partnership has been hugely rewarding and has helped both in terms of really understanding my brand and how to clearly and effectively communicate it to progress both my personal and professional goals. I would highly recommend Steve and the Jago team for anyone looking to define and enhance a clear voice and to build a powerful and impactful personal brand.

Kathryn Strachan, CEO, Copyhouse

Steve & the Jago crew are out of this world.

If you're thinking about your personal branding (which you should), get ready for one awesome ride. Steve helps you dive deep into what makes you you and reveals insights that strike the right cord. Would definitely recommend 11/10.

Jim Goddard, Global Head of Child Sponsorship Marketing & Engagement at World Vision International

He intentionally frees his mind to imagine new possibilities.

I have known and worked with Steve for 8 years now. From his initial innovation and dream to better engage children in our field programs to show their real selves, we have journeyed together to bring this to scale to over 3.5m children across 54 nations. Talk about impact from one man's daring to believe there was a better way. Steve is alternative, he is purposefully on the edge, but by being so he also intentionally frees his mind to imagine new possibilities. He is very personable, always joyfully willing, and I have great respect for him, his unique skill set and the way he sees the world.

Strengths

  • STRATEGIC

    Seeing patterns where others see complexity, helping people identify solutions and providing innovative and effective answers to complex problems.

  • COMMUNICATION

    An electrifying communicator who excels at turning plain ideas into captivating narratives, gripping audiences with dynamic storytelling, wisdom, and inspiring dialogue.

  • IDEATION

    An inventive ideator, thriving on the energy of new ideas, and expert at transforming the mundane into novel and insightful solutions.

achievements

  • INNOVATION

    Part of a team that formulated a billion dollar a year alternative funding model for the world's largest aid agency.

  • Co Founded Agency

    Jago is recognised as one of the most respected agencies in the UK, voted by other agency owners across the UK.

  • BUILDING ASSETS & IP

    Created resources and training programmes, including The Storyteller's World, to support frontline staff and volunteers to promote children's empowerment. The approach and tools have become globally mainstream and impact 10 million pieces of communication per annum.

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Watch

  • Key ingredients of a personal brand

  • Creative Agency podcast

  • Choosing an agency podcast

  • Agencyphonics podcast

  • Behind the scenes

observations from colleagues

  • "Always so amazed by your instant ability to engage people one on one and in a large group"

  • "A calming influence, easy to talk to and always has an interesting perspective"

  • "Helps people to believe in themselves"

  • "So inspirational and articulate. Has the ability to cut through the noise and see what matters"

  • "A futurescaper who is intentionally focussed and outcome driven"

  • "A man with enormous energy and vitality. Wow!"

Jago

We don't build Personal Brands. We empower you to build your own.

Visibility Credibility Believability The whole you

Personal branding is critical to lead generation. Networking. Relationships. Recruitment. But it's about more than that. Personal branding is about who you are and what you stand for. So, what's your reputation?

Take our personal brand health check