Use Experience to Build a Unique Perspective

JMS ep 358 chip huth

“It’s not who you are when the badge is on. It’s who you become when the badge comes off that really shows your leadership.”

“The best leaders know their past doesn’t define them. It shapes how they help others.”

When I sat down to talk with my friend Chip Huth, I expected wisdom. I didn’t expect to be moved in such a personal way. Chip is the kind of person who has lived through hard things and still shows up with a heart to serve.

In this episode, we talked about Chip’s 30-year career in law enforcement and how he took everything he learned and used it to help people in a whole new way. After retiring from the Kansas City Police Department, where he reached the rank of major, Chip could have stepped away quietly. Instead, he leaned into what he does best; leading people and solving problems.

Chip took a route many law enforcement professionals don’t. Instead of retreating or staying within his comfort zone, he turned outward—literally. Now a senior consultant with the Arbinger Institute, he uses every ounce of experience, hardship, and hard-earned wisdom to help organizations build better leaders and workplaces rooted in trust and mutual regard. What has always made him stand out is how he sees people. He treats each person with care and respect, no matter their background.

From transitioning careers to recognizing the universal value of our experiences, Chip reminds us that we’re all in a laboratory of life. If we are paying attention, there’s a lesson in every interaction. Writing down our stories is one way to help us understand ourselves and grow.

Chip’s inspiring story is a call to action for anyone sitting on a wealth of life experience, wondering what’s next. We all have something to offer, even if our paths don’t look like everyone else’s. Your experiences matter and can be used to make a big difference.