John Joseph De Goey: How a Servant’s Heart Builds Real Financial Freedom

“Optimism bias is when you say, ‘I understand bad things can happen—but it’s not going to happen to me.’”

What if your business and financial decisions could serve a purpose greater than profit? From the moment you press play, you’ll sense a deeper invitation: to lead with a heart of service, create real impact, and build wealth that lifts others, not just yourself.

In this episode of Doing Business With a Servant’s Heart, host Steve Ramona welcomes John D. R. Dei—portfolio manager, author, and servant‑leader. He began as a thoughtful student of finance, confronted the emotional chaos of market crashes, and discovered a blueprint for serving ordinary people through extraordinary clarity. He describes a vivid moment during the 2007–2009 global financial crisis when clients froze, unable to honour the very plan they’d signed. That tension pushed him to refine his craft—to become the advisor who doesn’t just transact but serves.

You’ll feel the tight grip of market panic, the quiet assurance of systems that work, the slow build of trust between advisor and client. You’ll hear how optimism bias—the hidden enemy of rational investing—sneaks in when “this won’t happen to me.” He uncovers the truth that service in wealth isn’t about avoiding risk; it’s about facing it with integrity.

And this isn’t just about investing. It’s about how you show up in your business, how you speak to your clients, how you treat your relationships when no one is watching. Because when you lead with a servant’s heart, you create more than customers—you create lifelong impact.

If you’re ready to walk away with tools you’ll apply today—whether you manage capital, run a small business, or simply hold influence—this conversation will change the way you think about money, service, and leadership.

P.S. Take one small act this week—identify someone you serve, ask “What do you need?” and then listen. This week, let service lead your business.

Guest Bio
John D. R. Dei is a portfolio manager, author and advocate of finance grounded in service. Based in Toronto, he spent years inside the whirlwind of market crashes and client emotion to discover that the real wealth opportunity isn’t just making money—it’s helping people stay true to their plan when everything around them is uncertain. His book Bull Shift challenges the industry optimism bias and invites everyday investors to build diversified, purposeful portfolios. Outside the numbers, John is driven by one question: How can wealth become a tool for others?
https://www.youtube.com/@makebetterwealthdecisions

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