The Voice of Hope with Dr. Ken Huey
Join Dr. Ken Huey on The Voice of Hope, where real stories and expert insights meet to inspire healing and transformation. With decades of experience in behavioral health and trauma therapy, Dr. Huey draws from his personal journey and professional expertise to offer practical advice for families, adoptees, and anyone seeking growth. Discover strategies to navigate trauma, build stronger relationships, and embrace hope in every episode. Tune in for thoughtful conversations that uplift and empower.
The Voice of Hope with Dr. Ken Huey
Jon Spiesman: Leading with Purpose, Scaling with Freedom
In this compelling episode of The Voice of Hope, Dr. Ken Huey sits down with Jon Spiesman - executive coach, founder of One Percent Better Leader, and former leader at Monsanto and Bayer - to explore what it really means to lead effectively without losing yourself in the grind.
From confronting brutal truths to redefining success through purposeful growth, Jon shares hard-won insights from a career that spans decades in corporate leadership and coaching. You’ll hear how he helps executives escape the trap of working in their business so they can return to working on it - with intentionality, accountability, and, most importantly, hope.
00:00 – Introduction
Ken introduces John Spiesman and sets the tone for a deep dive into leadership and purpose.
00:54 – "What does it mean to work on the business instead of in it?"
John reflects on his coaching philosophy and how many business owners unintentionally create a job instead of freedom.
02:04 – "Was there something specific that shifted your perspective?"
He shares how an early mentor taught him the value of making yourself replaceable to grow.
03:18 – "How did your experience with Bayer and Monsanto shape your views on adaptability?"
John walks through a corporate shake-up and how accepting reality was the first step toward adapting.
05:45 – "How do you help leaders confront brutal facts?"
John outlines his strategy for motivating acceptance, starting with honest feedback and interviews.
07:51 – "What are some daily practices that support continuous improvement?"
From purpose alignment to celebrating wins, John gives a window into his ‘One Percent Better’ method.
09:54 – "What’s your personal 'why' behind the work you do?"
John gets personal about the mentors who shaped him and his mission to unlock others’ potential.
11:49 – "What’s a common misconception leaders have about growth?"
He warns that ignoring your own growth as a leader can become the organization's bottleneck.
13:06 – "If the organization mirrors the leader, what do we do with our flaws?"
John emphasizes humility, transparency, and team accountability as tools for modeling growth.
15:08 – "What has shaped your focus on integrating life and leadership?"
A team member’s burnout helped John recalibrate his own work-life alignment—and set a better example.
18:18 – "What does results-focused coaching look like?"
He explains why measurable growth and accountability are built into his coaching model.
19:40 – "Who are your mentors and thought partners today?"
From peer groups to former CEOs, John shares how he stays sharp and emotionally grounded.
21:52 – "What advice would you give your younger self?"
"Get in touch with your fears," says John—offering a powerful lesson on self-awareness.
23:01 – "Tell us about your podcast: Untold – Best Kept Secrets in Utah."
He highlights his mission to elevate the voices of founders and leaders with stories that often go unheard.
24:08 – "Where can listeners connect with you?"
John shares that LinkedIn is the best place to engage with his content and reach out.
