Jason Barger

Jason Barger is committed to engaging the minds and hearts of people. He is a globally celebrated inspirational Author/Speaker/Consultant and creator of the “Step Back from the Baggage Claim” Movement – featured in the New York Times, National Geographic Traveler, Kiplinger, Book TV, and many other spots worldwide. He is a dynamic keynote speaker that delivers over 70 presentations annually around the world.

Prior to sleeping in airports and observing human behavior, Barger led over 1700 people to construct 125 houses internationally for families living in poverty as well as implemented the Streets Mission Project to serve the homeless on the streets of Columbus, Ohio. As the former Director of First Community Church’s Camp Akita, he designed programming focused on living with joy, love, compassion, faith, and service for over 1900 campers a summer.

Jason is a graduate of Denison University, where he served as Captain of the men’s basketball team, and also received certification from Georgetown University in Nonprofit Executive Management. In 2004, he was one of five people in Columbus, Ohio to receive a Jefferson Award, a national award given to “Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things”. In 2014, he was selected as a 40 Under 40 award winner by Business First. In 2021, Jason was recognized as a Top 200 Global Thought-Leader to follow.

Jason is a sought-after Keynote Speaker, visionary, and consultant. As founder of Step Back Leadership Consulting LLC, he works with organizations that are passionate about Culture Change, Leadership Development, Innovation, Service, and bringing their Mission to life everyday.

His most recent best-selling books “Breathing Oxygen” (2022) and “Thermostat Cultures” (2016) are having a profound impact worldwide and is about the process to proactively grow engaged leaders and cultures. His other books “ReMember: renewing our memberships, relationships and focus in a distracting world” (2013) and his first book “Step Back from the Baggage Claim” (2008) also includes 4 editions: the “Business Leader Edition” (2010) with Howard Behar, former President of Starbucks. The “Healthcare Leader Edition” (2010), with Dr. Chip Souba, Dean of the Dartmouth Medical School. And with Christian Long, Educational Consultant, the “Education Edition” (2011).

Some of his past clients include: Wendy’s, Deloitte, Nationwide Insurance, Caribou Coffee, UKG, Stanley Black & Decker, Kaiser Permanente, Alliance Data, Express, TEDx, NetJets, SHRM, IBM and many more!

BREATHING OXYGEN: HOW POSITIVE LEADERSHIP GIVES LIFE TO WINNING CULTURES

We need leaders and organizations that breathe good energy into people. This program is based off Barger’s most recent best-selling book “Breathing Oxygen: how positive leadership gives life to winning cultures.”

Positive, healthy thinking is as essential to great leadership and building a winning culture as the air we breathe. Leading yourself and a team of people has never been more complicated than it is today. There are people who breathe good oxygen into every room and situation and others who steal oxygen. The most effective leaders and cultures intentionally breathe in mindsets that fuel their performance.

This interactive and engaging keynote focuses on six key mindsets—Clarity, Inclusivity, Agility, Grit, Rest and Ownership—that bring energy to every team and expand their productivity and organizational potential.

THERMOSTAT CULTURES: SETTING THE TEMPERATURE FOR YOUR CULTURE

Every group you are a part of has its own culture. The culture is created by the habits you form and the ways in which you operate within the groups. And here is the truth-the culture is always changing. Every day and every moment. So, the question is not, “How do you keep the culture from changing?” but rather “Do you want to play any role in defining what it becomes?” The very best teams, relationships, and companies intentionally clarify, design, and strengthen the culture they are trying to create. They collaborate and engage their people with how they hope to Think, Act & Interact every day to bring their mission to life!

Based on Jason’s globally celebrated book “Thermostat Cultures.”

What You Will Discover In This Program:

• Dynamic examples of thriving cultures in today’s world
• Tips for engaging the minds and hearts or your people and the 6A’s of leading change
• Inspiration for bringing a sense of ownership to your team and organization
• You will leave energized and with clear actionable ways to stimulate progress within your organizational ecosystem

THE FUTURE OF LEADERSHIP: 7 KEY ATTRIBUTES IN A CHANGING WORLD

It’s no secret that we live in a fast-changing, global world. The generational shift is happening even as we speak. We’re adjusting to differing economic climates and styles of communication are evolving as rapidly as ever. The path ahead requires specific skills that haven’t always been developed.

7 key attributes are needed in order to thrive in the future. Are you a Servant-Leader, Storyteller, Collaborator, Innovator, Daredevil, Adaptable, Global Citizen? The very best leaders, teams, and organizations infuse 21st Century Leadership throughout their DNA.

What you will discover in this program:

• Definition & examples of the skills needed for the Future of Leadership
• The importance of telling YOUR compelling story inside & outside of the company walls
• How “daring to begin” plays a vital role in moving beyond the status quo
• Action items for your team to take flight

What types of groups should participate in this workshop:

• Groups looking to strengthen their own leadership practice
• Groups seeking new ways of seeing their work and approach
• Groups on the cutting edge of development, creativity, and relationship-focused ventures

I would love to see Jason again in any venue anywhere in the world! — ENTREPRENEURS’ ORGANIZATION

Jason is great! He’s a dynamic and engaging person with a great sense of humor. He puts everyone at ease, while still challenging them to think creatively and with a servant’s heart. — Columbus Regional Airport Authority

Jason is a true game changer! — ALLIANCE DATA

We would hire him again in a minute. — WD PARTNERS