440: What Every GM Needs to Hear About Family, Culture & Empowerment w/ Desi Speh

In this episode, we chat with Desi Speh, COO  at Desert Highlands in Arizona. 

A guy who’s quietly redefining what club leadership can look like.

Desi’s not the loudest voice in the room, but his impact is undeniable. 

From turning valet service into a culture-defining moment                              (ice cream cooler included 🍦) to mentoring staff into leaders, his philosophy is simple: lead from the heart, empower your people, and always keep perspective.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

• Why empowerment beats micromanagement (every time)
• How to build a culture where even the dishwasher feels ownership
• How Desi’s failed marriage made him a better GM, dad, and husband
• The one piece of advice that changed his leadership forever
• And why sometimes, the best ideas come from valet

Whether you're managing a club or leading a team, this one’s packed with real-life takeaways you’ll want to implement immediately.

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