Jeff McManus's Blog, page 14

Trying Times

“Tough times don’t last, but tough people do.”

~Robert H. Schuler

Pastor, Motivational Speaker, and Author

The old saying “it can be lonely at the top” may be true at times. However, as leadership expert John Maxwell says, “If we find ourselves lonely at the top, then we didn’t do something right.”

In your leadership journey, at times, you may have felt isolated. If you have ever had to flip a negative work culture, make unpopular decisions, or go against the grain to “right the ship...

Weeding and Cultivating a Winning Team

I used to get so frustrated because I thought I was building unity and teamwork on my team, only to discover some of our employees were not interested in being on the same page. I understand the hard (sometimes discouraging) work being done in organizations everywhere.

This week, I spoke to a leader who had taken over a major operation to “right-the-ship.” He recently discovered many of his direct reports have been actively working against him behind his back. I spoke with another leader who ...

A Good Friday

“Unless there is a Good Friday in your life, there can be no Easter Sunday.” ~ Fulton J. Sheen

In those lonely hard times, when you have to make those tough decisions that others don’t, it is important to have something inside of you that is bigger than yourself. When you have to be willing to take those actions that require courage others don’t understand, it matters.

Good Friday reminds us that there is something bigger than all of us. One leader, some 2000 years ago, was willing to do ...

Success Leaves Clues

Recently I had the opportunity to hear Dennis McIntee do a short training session. He is a non-traditional speaker, using frameworks and mind tools to assist leaders. He is a gifted presenter. As one person said, and I agree, “I feel like Dennis lives in my head as a leader.” One of the things I like about Dennis is he gives simple, practical solutions that are realistic to use.

Here is the gist of Dennis’ magic. Dennis provides mind mapping tools to address challenges most leaders face every...

The Power of Attitude, Effort and Actions

“3 things you can control every day: 1. Attitude 2. Effort 3. Actions to be a great teammate.”

-Jon Gordon

Some people hate working. They spend more time looking for ways to get out of work than actually working. I believe we all truly value working with people who bring a great attitude to a job.

I remember one of my first summer jobs working at my high school where my dad was the principal. We had a small summer workforce of high school students. It was the first time I had experience...

GROWING Leaders, Not Weeders

“For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.”

~Aristotle

As a leader you are heavily focused on getting results with your team. You look for people who have initiative and drive. Those leaders who can follow up and remember details that are important to the organization’s success. You look for people who have good communication skills, listen and who are empathetic. You are always on the look-out for those employees who can anticipate what to do next, can...

Great Leadership

A great leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.

~John Maxwell

Once, I thought I was a really good leader. Then, unexpectedly I found myself having to layoff almost half of my department’s employees. That day, I decided to take control of my leadership skills, because knowing how to lead people keeps me and my staff working. It also keeps my customers happy. So, I tried being a better listener and I worked longer hours – both failed miserably. Then, I started looki...

Personal Growth = Transformation

“Don’t go through life, grow through life.”

 – Eric Butterworth

A long time ago, when I graduated from college, I had some innocent views of what leadership looks like. Until one day, I was put in charge of leading a group of hourly employees who were more knowledgeable than me and really didn’t care much for my title or my leadership style. Because I needed results from my team, and a job, I tried to become a cool, easy-going leader. My limited understanding of leadership led me to believ...

You’re Invited to GROW 2023

“The paths to the future are not found but made, and the activity of making them changes both the maker and the destination.” 

~ John Schaar

I am thrilled to open this opportunity up to you and your leaders. On March 7, 2023, in Fayetteville, Georgia, I will lead a one-day, very unique GROW 2023 Leadership Conference and I truly hope you will consider coming. Why Fayetteville, Georgia, just 20 minutes south of the Atlanta airport? It is the home where one of America’s top entrepreneurs, Da...

The Time Is Now

“Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci,

Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.”  

~ H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Last week I got to spend some personal growth time with a group of facilities leaders in Florida. A big topic was leadership and how to grow those around you. Most people agreed it is important to provide training and growth opportunities, but the...