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John Spence
Managing Partner at John Spence, LLC
Gainesville, United States
For over 30 years, my passion for helping companies and people succeed has driven me. Through executive coaching, training programs, keynote speeches, and strategy consulting, I've assisted organizations worldwide, ranging from startups to the Fortune 10. My approach focuses on transforming complex business concepts into simple, practical solutions. I deliver tangible results that help my clients achieve their goals and achieve long-term success. I am also the author of "Awesomely Simple – Essential Business Strategies for Turning Ideas into Action" and "Excellence by Design – Leadership."
Background
At 26, I was the CEO of an international Rockefeller foundation, overseeing projects in 20 countries. Two years later Inc. Magazine named me one of America’s Up-and-Coming Young Business Leaders. More than a dozen organizations have recognized me as one of the world's top business experts. The American Management Association named me one of America's Top 50 Leaders to Watch, along with Sergey Brin and Larry Page of Google and Jeff Bezos of Amazon. The prestigious Thinkers50, the definitive global ranking of management thinkers, shortlisted me as one of the top eight in the World for their Distinguished Achievement Award. Thinkers 360 placed me on the Power List of the 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership. Others on the list include Simon Sinek, Gary Vaynerchuk, Adam Grant, and Marshall Goldsmith.
Services
As an executive coach, I work closely with you to enhance your skills in strategy, culture, high-performance teams, and other critical business topics. With my experience as CEO of four companies and a global business consultant, I bring real-life solutions to help you achieve sustainable results.
As a training facilitator and keynote speaker, I'm an expert at making complicated business topics easy to understand. Every program I deliver is custom-tailored to meet your specific needs. My presentations are fast-paced, highly engaging, content-rich, and deliver ideas and tools that can be implemented immediately.
As your strategy partner, I will help sharpen your strategic thinking and guide you through the process of identifying a set of core strategies that will serve as the foundation for your team's creation of a strategic blueprint designed to increase market share, revenues, and profitability.
Available For: Advising, Authoring, Consulting, Influencing, Speaking Travels From: Gainesville, FL
Speaking Topics: The Future of Leadership, Achieving Business Excellence, Extreme Customer Focus
John Spence
Points
Academic
0
Author
453
Influencer
118
Speaker
11
Entrepreneur
40
Total
622
Points based upon Thinkers360 patent-pending algorithm.
The Thoughtful Leader: Why Reflection Matters
John Spence LLC
March 10, 2025
Thoughtfulness is a powerful yet often overlooked leadership practice. It involves taking the time to evaluate your actions, decisions, and their effects. Leaders who reflect regularly become more intentional, self-aware, and effective. They understand issues and challenges at a deeper level. They step back and see the bigger picture.
The Uncompromising Pursuit of Excellence
John Spence LLC
March 03, 2025
A world-class chef, innovator, and relentless perfectionist, he transformed fine dining with his obsessive attention to detail and uncompromising standards. He was demanding, unyielding, and, at times, abrasive—but his pursuit of excellence was unparalleled. His Chicago restaurant – Charlie Trotter’s – was more than just a place to eat; it was an institution of precision, artistry, and excellence.
The Four Frameworks of World-Class Performance
John Spence LLC
February 24, 2025
Each framework stands on its own. But together, they form a system—one that empowers businesses to rise above mediocrity and sustain excellence over time. This system isn’t theoretical. It’s built on experience. Tested in real companies. Proven in real results.
The Six Characteristics of Outstanding Leaders
John Spence LLC
February 19, 2025
Leadership is the force that shapes an organization’s culture, drives execution, and determines long-term success. It is the single most important factor in whether a company thrives or fails. As I often say, “As goes the leadership team, so goes the entire company.”
High-Performance Teams: The Engine of Execution
John Spence LLC
February 10, 2025
A company’s future depends on the strength of its teams. Without effective teamwork, even the best strategies fail to deliver results.
The following framework outlines the six key components of world-class teams.
The Framework for Building a Winning Culture
John Spence LLC
February 03, 2025
In this article, we will turn our attention to what it takes to build a strong culture of highly engaged employees who consistently strive to deliver excellence.
The Framework for Organizational Excellence
John Spence LLC
January 27, 2025
Over the last 30 years, I’ve worked with organizations worldwide, helping them navigate challenges and discover what truly drives success. The Organizational Excellence Framework emerged from this journey—a synthesis of proven principles designed to help leaders create lasting results.
Introducing Frameworks That Turn Challenges Into Opportunities
John Spence LLC
January 20, 2025
The business world is chaotic. Markets shift rapidly, demands increase, and change is constant. Yet, even in these turbulent times, the fundamentals of success remain the same. Organizations excel when leaders provide clarity, teams work purposefully, and cultures inspire people to give their best. The challenge isn’t knowing these truths. It’s turning them into action.
Lessons for Leaders and an Upcoming Framework for Success
John Spence LLC
January 13, 2025
People want to follow leaders they trust—those who act with honesty and align their words with their actions. Authenticity means consistently reflecting your values in your decisions and interactions. It also means being vulnerable enough to admit mistakes and ask for help.
Lead with Love or Lose Your Team
John Spence LLC
December 16, 2024
This doesn’t mean you need to fall in love with your employees—that’s romantic love. This isn’t about affection, being their best friend, or their therapist. It’s about genuine gratitude and care. It’s your way of saying, “I love you.” I appreciate everything from your presence on our team to the hard work you do, your positive attitude, the care you show our customers, and your commitment to delivering excellence.
The True Responsibility of Leadership
John Spence LLC
December 09, 2024
I wonder if most leaders are thoughtful about their leadership.
My belief is many just go through the motions. I know I did for years.
I read the books, attended the seminars, studied the articles, and tried to improve. But it wasn’t until later that I took the time to sit and think deeply about the kind of leader I wanted to be and the legacy I wanted to leave.
Advanced Strategies for Market Differentiation
John Spence LLC
December 02, 2024
To satisfy this formula, your offering needs to meet four criteria:
Be unique and compelling.
Be highly valued by your target customers.
Be difficult, if not impossible, for competitors to copy.
Be consistently executed with excellence.
While these principles sound simple, meeting all four is incredibly challenging. However, focusing on the following five key areas provides a practical framework to help you succeed.
From Competence to Connection: Leadership Qualities That Drive Success
John Spence LLC
November 18, 2024
As you rise in an organization, the skills that once made you successful become less central. Technical expertise takes a back seat to the ability to work with and through others. Leadership isn’t about doing the work yourself anymore. It’s about guiding others to get results. That’s why technical skills aren’t on this list of essential traits. These leadership qualities determine your impact. Developing them shapes your success and the success of those you lead.
Strategy Is Just a Guess
John Spence LLC
November 11, 2024
I have been helping companies build winning strategies for more than three decades. Crafting a strategy can be intimidating. There are many moving parts and a lot at stake. After all, you are plotting the future of your organization. You want to get it right.
AI in Business: Thrive or Fall Behind
John Spence LLC
November 04, 2024
Artificial intelligence is not a passing trend. It’s here, and it’s reshaping everything from day-to-day operations to strategic decision-making. AI’s impact will continue growing in every industry, organization, and role. As the saying goes, “If you don’t like change, you’ll like irrelevance even less.” Leaders now have no choice but to adopt and integrate AI if they want their businesses to thrive in a competitive landscape.
The Only Thing Worse Than Lying to Others Is Lying to Yourself
John Spence LLC
October 30, 2024
There will be times when your principles are tested. The question is, how will you respond? Will you give in to temptation and compromise your standards or will you stand tall and remain true to your values? It’s easy to say what you’ll do in theory, but your actions count most when the rubber meets the road. Some folks want it both ways. They want to profit, but they also want to feel good about themselves. So, just like Eve took a bite from the forbidden apple, they take the bait and justify their wrongdoing, claiming “It’s just this once.”
The Phases of Life’s Experience(s)
John Spence LLC
October 21, 2024
Within a single life, it’s possible to identify (for most people) a ‘phased’ series of experiences. If we can see this pattern, two more things evolve: first, we can see our lived lives from a more objective view & perhaps gain more insight into our experiences; and second, within our lives, we go through numerous ‘experiences’ that, within themselves, follow this pattern. From that knowledge we can confront our life’s path with a more confident perspective and likely learn quicker, move more easily. It is also possible to learn ‘rules’ or ‘life lessons’ for each phase and to apply them in future endeavors with greater success.
Thoughtfulness in Leadership
John Spence LLC
October 14, 2024
When I hear the word mindfulness, I think of someone sitting quietly in deep meditation. It feels passive and disconnected. For me, it conjures up an image of a Zen CEO. It just doesn’t seem to fit in a business connotation.
However, when I replaced mindfulness with thoughtfulness, everything shifted. Thoughtfulness is active and focused. It requires effort and intention to solve a problem.
The 3 Greatest Questions Leaders Should Ask Their People
John Spence LLC
October 07, 2024
eople typically don’t leave jobs to pursue other opportunities; they leave because of their leaders. Studies indicate that 80% of disengagement and job turnover cases are due to leadership issues. This resource offers a simple yet powerful solution: three questions that address the core need for connection, engagement, and inspiration. By applying these questions, leaders can transform their team dynamics, resulting in a motivated and committed workforce.
The Future of Work: Why We Need Great Leaders Now
John Spence LLC
September 23, 2024
This morning, I came across a Harvard Business Review article that has predictions about the future of work. It’s fascinating—and a little bit scary. The article draws on insights from 570 experts: tech entrepreneurs, economists, and writers. Their perspectives paint a range of possibilities for how work could change in the coming decades. Some are hopeful, others cautionary, but all agree on one thing—the future will be anything but business as usual.
Mediocre Behavior Is a Choice
John Spence LLC
August 12, 2024
Nobody wants to be called mediocre. It’s like the screeching sound of someone’s nails on a blackboard. Yet, unfortunately, we’re surrounded by mediocrity. The bad news is that it’s contagious; the good news is that there’s a cure.
Navigating Change: A Guide for Credit Union Executives
CU Insight
July 31, 2024
The credit union industry, like many others, is facing a period of significant change. Economic uncertainty and political instability are adding layers of complexity to an already challenging landscape. For executives, these conditions necessitate a clear-eyed view of reality and the courage to engage in difficult conversations.
Ground Rules for Difficult Discussions
John Spence LLC
July 29, 2024
I have been in a lot of uncomfortable meetings. There was not an elephant in the room. There was a herd. People were anxious, angry, confused, and downright scared. They knew it was going to be ugly. And it usually was. The reason? People weren’t prepared to have a productive meeting and did not know how to deal with emotionally charged topics. They figured they would just get in there and fight it out. Not a good plan.
A Call to Action for Leaders
John Spence LLC
July 08, 2024
Fierce leaders are committed to making a difference. They’re willing to stand up for something important to them. They pursue their purpose with intensity. Unapologetically. Realizing that not everyone will agree with their positions. Some will think them foolish. Others will rally to the cause.
Guidance from a Mentor: Valuable Tips for Everyone
John Spence LLC
July 01, 2024
Just focus on being awesome this week in class. Don’t worry about the final exam. Focus on getting an A on the next quiz. If you concentrate on crushing every week, your final grade will take care of itself.
Navigating Leadership with Emotional Intelligence
Linkedln
November 27, 2024
I’ve noticed a trend. In my leadership training workshops and executive coaching, people downplay the importance of emotional intelligence (EQ) in leadership. They think it’s too touchy-feely and don’t want to be seen as “emotional.” People believe showing vulnerability is a weakness. They are wrong.
Questions Demand Answers
Linkedln
September 11, 2024
The quality of the questions you ask determines the quality of your life. Being curious is commendable. Wanting to understand the world around you and what others think is essential. However, as the famous author Ursula K Le Guin said, “The only questions that really matter are the ones you ask yourself.”
Mastering Emotional Intelligence
Linkedln
September 04, 2024
Imagine you’re in a meeting with your leader. The discussion centers on the latest sales numbers. You’ve analyzed the data. Given the down market, the targets they have set are unrealistic. You try to explain this, offering solid evidence and reasoned arguments.
Employees First: A Case Study in Corporate Success
Linkedln
August 28, 2024
Many businesses are hyper-focused on maximizing financial returns. While revenue and profitability goals are essential, prioritizing them above all else can lead to disaster. In my work with companies around the world, I’ve discovered a fundamental truth: organizations that put employees first consistently outperform those that chase monetary success alone.
The Power of Referrals in Business
Linkedln
July 24, 2024
Many businesses depend almost exclusively on referrals. A few come to mind right away: real estate agents, financial advisors, lawyers, and accountants. It is rare that someone would Google “lawyers near my location.” They are going to ask their friends to recommend one. Other businesses advertise, but they rely heavily on referrals. Examples include restaurants, dry cleaners, and car repair shops. If you find a mechanic you trust, everyone wants to know about them!
Maximizing Workforce Confidence and Engagement in 2024
Linkedln
July 17, 2024
The economic landscape in the United States remains strong despite global uncertainties. Workforce confidence is high. Seventy percent of workers feel secure in their jobs, up from 61% in 2021. This reflects the overall strength of the U.S. labor market, which shows resilience even as other parts of the world face challenges.
Urgency: The Catalyst for Change in Tough Economic Times
Linkedln
June 12, 2024
Even though there’s a mandate to reduce headcount, underperforming employees persist, protected by well-meaning managers. Noble intentions, but unsustainable. Continued losses risk everyone’s job.
Why Work-Life Balance Won’t Make You A Better Leader
Linkedln
May 29, 2024
Many leaders stick to a rigid separation between work and home life, convinced it boosts concentration and productivity. However, this often leads to extended office hours, missed family moments, and personal sacrifices for career growth. While it may initially increase productivity, it eventually results in burnout, isolation, and diminishing personal satisfaction and professional output returns.
War of the Words: The Great Buzzword Purge
Linkedln
May 01, 2024
The English language: a vast and vibrant tapestry of nearly 600,000 magnificent words. Slowly being strangled by a trio of dangerously overused buzzwords. Fear not, fellow wordsmiths! Today, we embark on a noble quest – a crusade to liberate your vocabulary from the shackles of “unprecedented,” “resonate,” and “synergize.”
Many years ago, a friend visited me at the company I was running. As we walked around the office, I introduced him to our staff. Each took a minute or two to talk about the projects they were working on. I invited some executive team members to join us for lunch.
How Adaptability Quotient (AQ) Shapes Effective Leadership
Linkedln
March 27, 2024
As I look at the leadership landscape, I believe there are three quotients that one must have to be an effective leader. The first is IQ, and by this, I do not mean the number; I mean competence. You must be very good at what you do. The next is EQ, emotional intelligence, your ability to understand your emotions, regulate them appropriately, and show empathy.
I was recently building a custom AI assistant to help me do research and named it Bob. I gave Bob some very specific commands about the way I wanted him to deliver information. Much to my chagrin, after multiple attempts, Bob still was not giving me what I needed. I decided that Bob wasn’t working out and I would have to remove him from the company. Here is our conversation about his termination.
Riding with Yoda: Advice for a Happier Life
Business Brief
February 28, 2024
I was recently in San Antonio Texas on business. I got an Uber for the 20-minute ride from my hotel to the client’s office. Little did I know that I had gotten in the car with Yoda. Actually, his name was Leo, but he was wise beyond most people I have ever met. During our short ride, he shared powerful ideas about life, family, work, and faith. I gave him my email and asked him to drop me a note. This is the way I make sure people are serious about staying in touch. I have given my email out hundreds of times, and only a handful of people ever send a note. Leo sent a note the next day. Here is our exchange.
An Essential Tool for Strategy Execution: The Power of Dashboards
Linkedln
February 21, 2024
Creating a robust strategy can be monumental task, but it’s only the beginning. The real challenge, and often the stumbling block for many organizations, is in the execution. The gap between strategic planning and successful implementation is wide. This is where the indispensable tool of a dashboard comes into play. A dashboard is critical for any organization serious about turning its strategic visions into reality.
The Clear Path to Success: How to Eliminate Mediocrity and Drive Progress
Linkedln
February 14, 2024
One of my favorite business phrases is “ambiguity breeds mediocrity.” When things are unclear, people are uncertain. They don’t know what to focus on. They’re not sure what to do next. Progress comes to a grinding halt. As a leader, creating clarity is your responsibility. Here’s how to do it.
From Plan to Performance: How to Execute Your Business Strategy
Business Brief
February 07, 2024
You’ve got a killer strategy. Your team has spent days, weeks, maybe even months crafting it. You’ve evaluated your market, studied your competitors, and set ambitious goals. You’ve got a plan that could take your business to new levels of success. But then, nothing happens.
35 Questions to Inspire Self-Reflection
Business Brief
January 31, 2024
When was the last time you paused to reflect on your life? You’re too busy for that, right? Wouldn’t you like to know if you should continue full-speed ahead or if you’re veering off course? Here are 35 questions to inspire self-reflection. They will help you identify your values, discover your driving forces, challenge your behavior, and determine whether you should recalibrate your direction.
The Leader’s Toolkit: Four Essential Leadership Skills for Business Success
Business Brief
January 11, 2024
Continuous improvement is crucial for business leaders. It drives personal and organizational success. Focusing on just a handful of key development areas can yield significant benefits. Here are four critical areas where even modest improvements can lead to big gains.
The Strategic Power of Customer Relationships
LinkedIn
December 13, 2023
The voice of the customer is everything. It should be a primary focus of your strategy. It deserves a significant investment of time, money, and people. Strong customer relationships are among the only sustainable competitive advantages for many businesses. It should be a top priority
Effective Decision-Making for Leaders: A Strategic Approach
LinkedIn
December 06, 2023
Strategy is about making decisions. You have limited resources. You must allocate them carefully. Deciding where to invest your money, time, and human capital is daunting. There are usually several options with varying degrees of urgency. Making sound strategic decisions in a timely manner is a vital skill for leaders.
The fact is, some leaders are causing irreparable damage to great institutions by shirking their responsibilities. They’re afraid to address difficult issues, make tough decisions, and introduce the change that’s required to achieve long-term success. Instead, these “counterfeit leaders” spend much of their time playing politics, protecting their turf, and promoting their self-interests. To make matters worse, counterfeit leaders, in both public and private sectors, often masquerade as positive role models while condoning unethical or irresponsible behavior that undermines the very foundation of their institution.
The Power of Not Being Number One
LinkedIn
November 15, 2023
Many companies aim high. They set their vision or BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) to be the best in the world. It’s a lofty goal. But let’s be honest. Only a few can achieve it. It takes massive resources, focus, and effort. If you can do it, great. Go for it! But what if you can’t?
Trust: Your Most Valuable Asset
LinkedIn
October 25, 2023
Running a business is expensive. Buildings, office equipment, IT investments, and of course, payroll. But a lack of trust is by far your biggest expense. When employees do not trust the leaders turnover is high. When employees don’t trust each other, job performance is low. Whenever employees don’t trust your business everything is in jeopardy.
Letters To A CEO
Flycaster & Company
January 01, 2023
For nearly two decades, John Spence has served as a trusted advisor and coach to senior executives at top companies around the globe. They turn to him because of his wealth of experience working with big corporations – to hundreds of small to medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurial start-ups. Because his clients know that he has read a minimum of 120 business books a year since 1989, they will often ask him to summarize the key points of what he has learned on a specific topic into a “letter” that will help them learn a new skill or make a major business decision.
Letters to a CEO is a compilation of the actual letters that John has sent to his clients in the last few years. It covers such critical business topics such as how to make good decisions, increasing accountability throughout the organization, strategic thinking, high-performance teams and much more.
Each letter is only a few pages long but every one is packed with John’s best ideas, insights and lessons learned as the CEO of ten companies. Add the knowledge he gained in reading nearly 3,000 business books in his quest to learn as much as he possibly could on what it takes to build, grow and sustain a highly successful organization and you have Letters to a CEO. Reading this book is like having a top Fortune 500 executive coach standing by to give you great advice whenever you need it.
Tags: Business Strategy, Change Management, Leadership
Awesomely Simple - Essential Business Strategies For Turning Ideas Into Action
Jossey-Bass
September 08, 2009
The six core strategies to elevate any business-and how to implement them-made simple
What do the world's most successful companies and organization have in common? And what can you actually take away and use from their examples? Distilling the best fundamental business strategies, trusted advisor and strategist John Spence helps you take a hard look at your business and together develop specific plans and action steps that will allow you to dramatically improve the success of your company.
Delivered in Spence's approachable and straightforward manner, Awesomely Simple reveals the six key strategies that create a foundation for achieving business excellence: Vivid Vision, Best People, A Performance-Oriented Culture, Robust Communication, A Sense of Urgency, and Extreme Customer Focus.
Filled with case studies and clear action items, includes easy-to-follow guidelines for implementing the strategies in any organization no matter its mission or size
After concisely breaking down each strategy, Spence gives specific examples, tips, tools, discussion questions and exercises for how to execute them successfully
A perfect resource for business leaders, Awesomely Simple will help you turn ideas into positive action and achieve lasting business success.
What do the world's most successful companies and organizations have in common? And what can you actually take away and use from their examples? Distilling the best fundamental business strategies, trusted advisor and strategist John Spence helps you take a hard look at your business and then to develop specific plans and action steps that will allow you to dramatically improve the success of your company.
Tags: Business Strategy, Customer Experience, Leadership
Awesomely Simple: Essential Business Strategies for Turning Ideas into Action
Jossey-Bass
August 01, 2009
The six core strategies to elevate any business - and how to implement them - made simple.
What do the world's most successful companies and organizations have in common? And what can you actually take away and use from their examples? Distilling the best fundamental business strategies, trusted advisor and strategist John Spence helps you take a hard look at your business and then to develop specific plans and action steps that will allow you to dramatically improve the success of your company.
Delivered in Spence's approachable and straightforward manner, Awesomely Simple reveals the six key strategies that create a foundation for achieving business excellence: Vivid Vision, Best People, A Performance-Oriented Culture, Robust Communication, A Sense of Urgency, and Extreme Customer Focus.
Excellence By Design: Leadership - The Six Key Characterics of Outstanding Leaders
Flycaster & Company
January 01, 2008
A straightforward, practical, and actionable guide designed to teach the essential steps necessary for becoming an extraordinary leader. Solid advice, powerful tools and timeless wisdom on how you can dramatically improve your leadership effectiveness. Lays out the six key characteristics of outstanding leaders.
Excellence by Design – Leadership
Flycaster & Company
January 01, 2008
Straightforward, practical and actionable guide designed to teach the essential steps necessary for becoming an extraordinary leader. Solid advice, powerful tools and timeless wisdom on how you can dramatically improve your leadership effectiveness. Lays out the six key characteristics of outstanding leaders.
Managing Partner at John Spence LLC, where I provide executive coaching, strategic guidance, workshops, and keynote speeches to organizations worldwide.
Thinkers50: 2017 Distinguished Achievement Awards Shortlist - Top 8
Thinkers50
September 01, 2017
Breakthrough Idea Award
The Thinkers50 Breakthrough Idea Award celebrates a Eureka moment in management. It is given for a radical idea, which has the potential to forever change the way we think about business. From Taylorism to the Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid, new ideas have challenged what we know about the world. This award is dedicated to the legacy of CK Prahalad, who proved there is nothing so practical as a great idea.
Top 100 Thought Leader in Trustworthy Business Behavior: Global List
Trust Across America
February 01, 2013
Recipients hail from around the globe and include leaders from the public and private sectors as well as authors, consultants, researchers and academics. Other 2013 recipients include: Richard Branson -Virgin Group, Tony Hsieh – Zappos, Ram Charan - top global business consultant, Thomas Freidman – author, Rosabeth M. Kanter - The Ernest L. Arbuckle Professorship at Harvard Business School, Patrick Lencioni – author, Tom Peters – author, Howard Schultz - CEO of Starbucks.
100 great leadership speakers for your next conference
Inc. Magazine
December 16, 2014
Presented by Inc. Magazine. Others on the list included Sir Richard Branson, Ken Blanchard, Bob Berg, Dori Clark, Marshall Goldsmith, John Kotter, Gary Hamel, and John Maxwell.
Securities Industry Institute – Wharton School of Business
Securities and Financial Management Association (SIFMA)
March 12, 2001
The Securities Industry Institute is recognized worldwide as the premier development program for securities industry professionals. Now in its 60th year, the Securities Industry Institute focuses on helping participants broaden their perspectives, increase job effectiveness and strengthen management skills.
SII utilizes a variety of class formats from general sessions to individual electives, panel discussions to small workshops; many supplemented with pre-course work and case studies. The curriculum embraces a combination of practical information, theory, and broad issues. Participants who complete this intensive three-year program receive a certificate of completion that is recognized among the leading firms in the industry.
During my more than two decades as an instructor, the programs I have delivered at the Institute include leadership, strategic thinking/strategic planning, organizational culture, high-performance teams, the future of business, accountability and business excellence.
Global Leadership Development Program – Senior Instructor
Merrill Lynch
April 01, 1997
Serving as a consultant, I delivered highly customized training programs and executive coaching to employees at all levels across the organization, from financial managers to the C-Suite. I also served as a senior instructor for the Global Leadership and Development Program for high-potentials. Areas that I focused on for this client included leadership, strategic thinking, high-performance teams, conflict resolution, presentation skills, communication effectiveness, and negotiations.
The Journey To Thought Leadership: 13 Steps To Take You There
John Spence LLC.
August 20, 2024
I never had the goal of becoming a Thought Leader. My focus has always been on doing great work. The accolades have been a fruit of that labor. Today our company's mission is for me to be consistently ranked as one of the top 100 Thought Leaders in the world. This is not about ego. It is about doing the quality of work that allows me to be considered for those awards. From a business standpoint, quality work at that level equals more and happier clients.
Executive Coaching and Business Advisory:
As an executive coach, I have worked with numerous leaders, from small companies to the C-Suite, in global organizations. I provide personalized guidance, helping individuals maximize their potential, refine their leadership skills, and achieve their professional goals. Through insightful coaching sessions, I assist executives in navigating challenges, enhancing their decision-making abilities, and driving sustainable growth. For many clients, I coach their entire executive team, helping them become a more cohesive and effective high-performance team.
Keynote Speaking:
As a keynote speaker, I specialize in turning complex business concepts into actionable strategies. Each presentation is custom-tailored backed by in-depth research and real-world experience. My presentations and workshops are fast-paced, content-rich, and focused on delivering ideas and tools that the audience members can implement immediately. Whether to a small group of executives or more than 20,000 people in the audience, I have the experience to deliver excellence in every presentation.
Training Programs
I have a proven track record of designing and delivering comprehensive training programs for over 30 Fortune 500 companies, smaller private companies, and professional associations. These programs cover a wide range of topics, including leadership development, strategy, high-performance teams, and organizational culture.
Join Thinkers360 for free! Are you a Reader/Writer, Thought Leader/Influencer (looking to increase your earnings), or an Enterprise User (looking to work with experts)?
The Thoughtful Leader: Why Reflection Matters
The Uncompromising Pursuit of Excellence
The Four Frameworks of World-Class Performance
The Six Characteristics of Outstanding Leaders
High-Performance Teams: The Engine of Execution
The Framework for Building a Winning Culture
The Framework for Organizational Excellence
Introducing Frameworks That Turn Challenges Into Opportunities
Lessons for Leaders and an Upcoming Framework for Success
Lead with Love or Lose Your Team
The True Responsibility of Leadership
Advanced Strategies for Market Differentiation
From Competence to Connection: Leadership Qualities That Drive Success
Strategy Is Just a Guess
AI in Business: Thrive or Fall Behind
The Only Thing Worse Than Lying to Others Is Lying to Yourself
The Phases of Life’s Experience(s)
Thoughtfulness in Leadership
The 3 Greatest Questions Leaders Should Ask Their People
The Future of Work: Why We Need Great Leaders Now
Mediocre Behavior Is a Choice
Navigating Change: A Guide for Credit Union Executives
Ground Rules for Difficult Discussions
A Call to Action for Leaders
Guidance from a Mentor: Valuable Tips for Everyone
Navigating Leadership with Emotional Intelligence
Questions Demand Answers
Mastering Emotional Intelligence
Employees First: A Case Study in Corporate Success
The Power of Referrals in Business
Maximizing Workforce Confidence and Engagement in 2024
Urgency: The Catalyst for Change in Tough Economic Times
Why Work-Life Balance Won’t Make You A Better Leader
War of the Words: The Great Buzzword Purge
Excellence Not Perfection
How Adaptability Quotient (AQ) Shapes Effective Leadership
I’m Sorry Bob
Riding with Yoda: Advice for a Happier Life
An Essential Tool for Strategy Execution: The Power of Dashboards
The Clear Path to Success: How to Eliminate Mediocrity and Drive Progress
From Plan to Performance: How to Execute Your Business Strategy
35 Questions to Inspire Self-Reflection
Turning Seminar Ideas into Action: A Simple, Proven Method
Turning Life’s Trials into Triumphs: Practical Techniques for Resilience
The Leader’s Toolkit: Four Essential Leadership Skills for Business Success
The Strategic Power of Customer Relationships
Effective Decision-Making for Leaders: A Strategic Approach
Counterfeit Leadership
The Power of Not Being Number One
Trust: Your Most Valuable Asset
Letters To A CEO
Awesomely Simple - Essential Business Strategies For Turning Ideas Into Action
Awesomely Simple: Essential Business Strategies for Turning Ideas into Action
Excellence By Design: Leadership - The Six Key Characterics of Outstanding Leaders
Excellence by Design – Leadership
Managing Partner
Power List of the Top 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership in 2022
Top 50 Leaders to Watch in America
Top 5 Small Business Experts America
Top 100 Thought Leader in Trustworthy Business Behavior: Global List
100 great leadership speakers for your next conference
Securities Industry Institute – Wharton School of Business
Global Leadership Development Program – Senior Instructor
The Journey To Thought Leadership: 13 Steps To Take You There
