Ryan Taylor’s journey to becoming Managing Director for the Middle East at BCG BrightHouse is as inspiring as it is purposeful. From building a thriving local team in Dubai to helping organizations uncover their true purpose, Ryan’s leadership is rooted in creativity, optimism, and an unwavering belief in making the world a better place. As he steps into this new role, Ryan reflects on the pivotal moments that led him here, the power of play in the workplace, and the ambitious opportunities he sees in one of the world’s most transformative regions. His story is a testament to the magic that happens when passion, purpose, and perseverance align.
Q: What excites you most about stepping into the Managing Director role for the Middle East?
I am pumped to build a local team here in the Middle East. No matter where you sit across our global offices, our purpose at BCG BrightHouse is to Discover True Light in the World. You could be the most talented person in your respective field but if your priority isn’t to make the world a better place, you won’t be happy here. Almost two years after I moved to Dubai and we knew this was going to turn into something bigger, I sat down with our CEO, Ashley Grice, and asked her, “How do I build our culture in a new place?” She didn’t hesitate with, “Hire the right people.” We’re reviewing applications for multiple positions right now, and I keep those words on repeat.
Q: Looking back, what was the pivotal moment in your journey that led you to this role?
It was a LinkedIn post and a phone call in 2016, to be precise. I had been in advertising for about 15 years, and was hitting that burnout point. My wife was quick with the “Are you okay?” questions when I would come home from work. I even spent a few months investigating what it would take to go back to school to be a doctor! Then I saw Cathy Carlisi’s LinkedIn post for a Creative Director at a place called BCG BrightHouse. I knew most of the agencies in Atlanta but had never heard of that one. I noticed a former colleague, Jeff Harter, worked there so I hopped on a call with him and learned about this place that helps organizations find their purpose. I was immediately sold. I was looking for purpose in my own work, and didn’t even know it. Over eight years later, I’m still in awe that this is a real job.
Q: One of our values is The Beauty of Eloquence. What’s a famous quote, eloquent phrase, or mantra that keeps you motivated during challenging times?
On a recent client project, we dug deep into the power of play, and why it’s important for society. That has led to a lot of use of George Bernard Shaw’s brilliant insight, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” It doesn’t mean that everything is fun and games. We work hard, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy ourselves while we do it. Our team in Dubai laughs a lot together. We’re the loud ones in the office! We believe GIFs are a perfectly adequate means of communication. We all spend a lot of our life at work. It’s important to find every way to make it enjoyable.
Q: What unique opportunities do you see for our clients in the Middle East, and how can we help them seize those?
I truly believe that the Middle East is the most ambitious region on Earth right now. They’re going through massive transformations, building cities of the future, and tackling some of the world’s biggest issues. For many people, especially those in the west, those ambitions come with an introduction to the cultures and the people who call this region home. I believe our work, rooted in purpose, can help shape that introduction and set those ambitions in the most authentic, inspiring way. Whether it’s articulating a vision, excavating a purpose, or building a brand, it has nothing do with us telling anyone who we think they should be. It’s about us discovering who they already are, learning who they want to be, and helping them share that with the world.
Q: What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you outside of work?
I am not a tall man. That’s not the surprise. That’s pretty obvious unless you’ve only met me on Zoom. I stand a commanding 5’9” (175cm)! But I LOVE beach volleyball, a sport that favors the more vertically-advantaged among us. I don’t play as much as I’d like, but BCG has some groups that play in the cooler months and they sponsor a sports day at the beach every year. In my head, I can jump up and block any spike that comes my way. The reality is a bit different. Believe me, I’ll jump. And maybe, just maybe, my fingertips might skim the bottom of the ball. I try not to ask God for too many vain things, but I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t ever uttered a prayer about wishing I was just a little bit taller. Not a ton! I’m not greedy. Just enough to block a spike.