Richard St. John

Richard St. John is a success researcher, bestselling author, and keynote speaker whose work focuses on understanding the factors that contribute to achieving and sustaining success. In the corporate sector, St. John served as a member of the scientific staff at Nortel Networks research and development labs, where he worked as a researcher, marketing specialist, and CEO speechwriter. He contributed to creative production for major product launches and received recognition for design and business communications, including an IABC Gold Quill Award.

St. John later founded The St. John Group, a marketing communications company specializing in technology and business marketing. The company received awards for corporate video and scriptwriting, reflecting its impact in the marketing and communications industry.

St. John's research into the science of success began after a conversation en route to the TED conference prompted him to investigate what leads to achievement. He conducted interviews with more than 500 successful individuals across various fields, including Bill Gates, Martha Stewart, Richard Branson, Robin Williams, Steven Spielberg, the founders of Google, and Nobel Prize winners. Through this research, St. John identified key traits shared by successful people and authored the book "8 To Be Great," which outlines "The 8 Traits Successful People Have in Common."

His TED Talk, "8 Secrets of Success," has received millions of views and is recognized as a top TED Talk in several categories, including "All Time Favorites," "Most Inspirational," and "Most Translated into Other Languages." St. John has delivered presentations globally, sharing insights on personal development, business success, and leadership. He uses his own experiences, including the rise and fall of his business, to illustrate the importance of perseverance in achieving long-term success.

St. John has spoken at events for business leaders, government officials, and students, including engagements at the University of Toronto Rotman School of Management, York University Schulich School of Business, and Erasmus University. His approach to the topics of entrepreneurship, motivation, and self-improvement is noted for its clarity and practical application.