From Whiteboard to Boardroom: Richard James Rogers on Turning Teaching Skills into a Global Business

Introduction

Some people quit their jobs to start over. Richard James Rogers? He doubled down on what he already knew—and scaled it to a global level.

In this episode of The Six Figure Speaker Spotlight, I sat down with Richard—former science teacher turned international corporate trainer, bestselling author, and founder of Richard James Rogers Corporate Training. His journey from classroom to boardroom isn’t just inspiring—it’s a blueprint for any expert ready to ditch the safe zone and start building a business that actually moves the needle.

This recap breaks down the real lessons behind the mic: how Richard made the leap, where he found opportunity hiding in plain sight, and what he’s teaching now that everyone needs to hear.

Recognizing Your Transferable Skills (A.K.A. The Lightbulb Moment)

Richard didn’t need a career coach or a crystal ball to realize he had something valuable—he just paid attention. The teaching methods he developed over years in the classroom weren’t just effective for kids—they were universally effective.

What started as a personal habit (writing down strategies that worked) turned into the beginning of his second career. Feedback from students, parents, and colleagues confirmed what he suspected: his approach was more than “good teaching.” It was a system people respected, remembered, and raved about.

Take note:
- Document what works.
- Pay attention to what people thank you for. That’s your edge.

Spotting Market Gaps (Without a Business Degree)

Richard’s pivot wasn’t random. He joined the British Chamber of Commerce in Thailand and stumbled into a goldmine—corporate training. From there, he didn’t just show up with a teacher’s mindset—he got certified in project management, Scrum, and Agile to back it up.

He packaged his skills, launched a workshop, and watched it take off.

What you can steal from his strategy:
- Step outside your industry bubble and listen for unmet needs.
- Upskill with purpose.
- Test before you scale.

Building Training That Doesn’t Waste Time

Let’s be honest: most corporate training is forgettable. Richard’s isn’t. Why? He cuts the fluff and builds everything around practical application.

Participants walk away with real tools, not theoretical frameworks. He keeps things bite-sized, interactive, and tech-forward—using live quizzes, rubrics, and acronyms that stick.

If you’re building a training program, ask yourself:
- Can people use this tomorrow?
- Are you giving them templates and checklists, or just ideas?
- Is the delivery engaging enough to make them want more?

Busting the Myths of Corporate Learning

Richard sees a lot of companies making the same mistakes:
- Overhyping “best practices” while ignoring practical implementation.
- Delivering one-size-fits-all content that leaves people tuned out.
- Treating training as a checkbox, not a growth tool.

He fixes that with:
- Clear, actionable tools tied to every concept.
- Built-in accountability through group work.
- Real-world relevance that makes training stick.

Group Work Isn’t Just a School Thing

One of Richard’s most effective tools? Group projects. Not the awkward kind—these are structured, outcome-driven collaborations that lead to real breakthroughs.

They create:
- Peer accountability
- Creative problem solving
- Friendly competition that boosts engagement

Public Speaking as a Power Move

Richard’s next frontier? Public speaking. And not just the big-stage kind—he’s teaching everyday professionals how to become powerful communicators in any room.

His upcoming book, The Powerful Public Speaker (due 2026), tackles this head-on. The workshop version is already a hit, helping participants move from fearful to fluent.

Why this matters:
- Communication drives leadership.
- Great speakers get noticed (and promoted).
- Confident teams communicate better, period.

Richard’s Advice for Aspiring Trainers and Educators Ready to Pivot

Thinking about stepping into training or entrepreneurship? Richard’s advice is clear and battle-tested:
- Don’t underestimate your background. It’s your competitive edge.
- Start small and stay agile.
- Prioritize practicality over perfection.
- Network constantly.
- Stay a student.
- Teach what you know, and document as you go.

Final Thoughts: From Teaching to Training to Transformation

Richard James Rogers didn’t throw away his teaching career—he leveraged it. That’s the real takeaway here. You don’t have to become someone else to build something extraordinary. You just need to package what you already know in a way the world can use.

Start by looking at your skillset through a new lens.
Where do your talents solve real-world problems?
What are people already asking you for?
And how can you scale your expertise so it creates impact beyond your inner circle?

Take the leap—and bring your lessons with you.

And when The Powerful Public Speaker drops, get your hands on it. It just might be the guide you didn’t know you needed.