Jeff McManus's Blog, page 15

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...

To Delegate or Not to Delegate

“You always hear about delegation, but people make the mistake of delegating and not following up. I give authority, but I stay in touch. Otherwise it doesn’t work.”  ~Wayne Huizenga

The success of our industry, depends on two things: 1. That we have well prepared leaders in the field and, 2. That we are brave enough and smart enough to delegate to them. Delegating is difficult for most driven leaders and yet it is the ability to delegate that is the mark of a true leader.

When is the righ...

Boss vs Leader

It is said that most industries are made up of 80% bosses, but only 20% are leaders. This may be why so many industries struggle for they are perceived as non-professional and lose so many good people.

A boss, a manager and a leader title may not matter in your organization, but the style you use to lead does matter. I am keeping it brief here. I have been called all 3 titles at some point in my career, but let’s focus on boss vs leader. A boss tends to be someone who has a command-and-contro...

How to Separate from an Employee

Using kindness when you let someone go or if they quit historically increases their chances of returning to you once they have matured and figured out life.

The leader’s approach to someone leaving will determine if the company is building up a reserve of employees who want to return even after they quit for greener pastures.

Be as kind to them when they leave as you were when you hired them, and they may return with a better big-picture view of work and a new appreciation for your organiz...