About
John Spence

John Spence spent his early career as the CEO of an international Rockefeller Foundation, overseeing initiatives across 20 countries. The experience taught him something he has carried through 35 years of working with leadership teams: the ideas that drive organizational performance are rarely complicated. What is harder is making them clear enough to understand and practical enough that organizations follow through on them.

That combination is what Thinkers360 recognized when they named John Spence the 2026 Thought Leader of the Year.

Why Leaders Choose John

When we ask our clients why they keep coming back to work with John, four reasons come up consistently.

Here is what they tell us.

Research + Real-Life + Passion = ROI

Research

Since 1989, John has read a minimum of 100 business books per year. Before working with any organization, he also researches their industry, their competitive landscape, and the specific challenges their members or leadership teams are navigating. The ideas he brings to every engagement reflect what is working now and what is relevant to the room he is standing in.

Real-Life

John Spence has served as CEO of multiple companies and has worked directly with senior leadership teams at organizations from startups to Fortune 10 enterprises across 40 countries. Every recommendation he makes has been tested against the reality of running an actual organization.

Passion

Every engagement is prepared as if it were the first. That same commitment carries through the day itself. If something helps the program succeed, the answer is yes. John Spence understands that how a speaker shows up offstage matters as much as what happens on stage. Whether it is a board session, a workshop, a dinner, or an on-site adjustment based on the needs of the program, when he is there, he is all in.

ROI

A successful engagement is measured by what clients implement when they return to work. His commitment to making complex ideas clear and practical is why organizations regularly report using his frameworks long after the engagement ends.

Recognition

America's Top 50 Leaders to Watch

The American Management Association named John one of America's Top 50 Leaders to Watch, an honor he shared with Sergey Brin and Larry Page of Google and Jeff Bezos of Amazon.

Thinkers50 Breakthrough Idea Award Finalist

Thinkers50, the definitive global ranking of management thinkers, shortlisted him as one of the top eight in the world for their Distinguished Achievement Award.

27 Years at the SII at Wharton

For 27 years, John has been a lead instructor at the Securities Industry Institute at the Wharton School of Business. He has delivered guest lectures at more than 90 colleges and universities, including MIT, Stanford, and Cornell.

ASAE Speaker Hall of Fame

John is also a member of the ASAE Speaker Hall of Fame, recognizing his work with associations and the leaders who run them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start the conversation with John?

Send John's team a note here with a brief description of what you are looking to accomplish. For speaking and workshop inquiries, include the format you have in mind, and we will work from there. We will respond within one business day.

How can I see John speak before deciding?

John's TEDx Talk and speaking reel are available on this page. If you would like to connect with past clients or event organizers before booking, John's team can arrange references.

What topics does John cover?

John's programs span leadership development, high-performance teams, organizational culture, strategy and execution, accountability, and customer experience, with options available in keynote, workshop, and multi-day formats. For a comprehensive list of topics and programs, visit the Keynote Speaking and Workshop Sessions pages.

Does John Spence work with associations?

Yes. John Spence is a member of the ASAE Speaker Hall of Fame and understands the unique demands of association events, from engaging diverse member audiences to delivering sessions that give people something to bring back to their organizations. His clients include the Iowa Soybean Association, Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, California Special Districts Association, and American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, to name a few.

For a closer look at John's work with associations, visit his Associations page.

What does the full engagement process look like?

After the initial conversation, John and his team work with you to understand your audience, goals, and the challenges you want to address.

For executive coaching and strategy engagements, John conducts a pre-engagement assessment to identify the priorities and challenges those involved most want to address.

For keynote speaking and workshop engagements, that includes:

  • Pre-event planning calls to understand your audience, the goals for the event, and what your organization is working on
  • Keynotes tailored to your audience
  • Optional breakout sessions available on the same day
  • Slide deck and tools attendees can apply in their work
  • Material grounded in current leadership research and real-world client work
  • Pre-event video to help promote your event
  • Post-event video to reinforce key ideas
  • Custom resource landing page with white papers, workbooks, and videos
  • Direct access for attendees to follow up with questions after the program

Everything above is included in a single fee. No add-ons, no surprises.

How does John's pricing work?

John works on a daily rate. That means you can schedule a keynote, a workshop, a leadership team session, or any combination on the same day without additional fees. The organizations we have worked with use that flexibility to get significantly more value from a single engagement.

What size audiences does John Spence work with?

From small executive team sessions to audiences of 10,000, John Spence has delivered programs at every scale. The content and approach are tailored to fit the room, not the other way around.

Does John offer virtual or hybrid programs?

Yes, virtual and hybrid formats are a regular part of John's work and deliver the same level of preparation and engagement as an in-person program.

Does John work with international organizations?

John Spence has delivered programs in more than 40 countries and is experienced working with organizations across different regions and time zones.

Start the Conversation

Tell John what you are looking to accomplish and his team will respond within one business day.

Start the Conversation