Jeff McManus's Blog, page 5

Beyond Limits

Limitations

What are your limitations? Are you the recent hire trying to prove yourself in a field of older, more experienced employees? Do you feel you will never learn as much as you should and therefore that promotion you want is off limits? Maybe you feel limited by organizational systems that were in place long before you got there and recognize that changing them is difficult…maybe too difficult?

If, as Oliver Wendall Holmes, Sr. once said, “All limits are self-imposed,” then perhaps...

What will you bring to this New Year?

January marks the start of a fresh chapter—a blank slate— and as Vern McLellan has said,
“What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year.”
What will you bring? Over the years, I have found the following six action items can go a long
way in preparing for a successful and productive year ahead.

Reset Your Goals
“Success doesn’t happen by chance. It happens by planning.” — Benjamin Franklin
What better time than a new year to refresh your memory and envis...

Unexpected Possibilities

Have you ever been fired, laid off, or demoted? Have you ever felt the sting of losing the
support of your bosses or the respect of your peers? These moments can feel like a gut
punch, shaking your confidence and leaving you questioning your worth. Yet, as difficult
as these experiences may be, they can also open doors to wonderful opportunities and
personal growth. But in that moment, it simply hurts – making it easy to lose sight of the
big picture.

“Life is ten percent what happens to you and n...

Christmas Time is Here

Recently, I went to see the play A Charlie Brown Christmas. It was a simple yet
meaningful way to get into the Christmas spirit and create new, joyful memories. There’s
something comforting about revisiting the timeless message in that story: the gentle
reminder of what truly matters during this season.

At its core, Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ—a moment in history that
symbolizes hope, love, and renewal. Whether you’re religious or not, the story of
Christmas carries universal truths: ...

Quotable Quotations

Leaders Are Readers
As Harry Truman once said, “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.”
But workdays are longer today, and time seems scarcer than ever. Add to that the rise
of social media and we find that our attention spans are shrinking. If a story can’t be told
in less than 60 seconds, we’re quick to scroll and move on. As a result, we find the act
of reading novels, books, and articles for business or pleasure is fading
But as leaders, we must remind ourselves—and our teams—of...

Elevating Leadership: Growing from Good to Great

A leader at every level, in every industry, is given the responsibilities of
problem solving, adapting, overcoming, managing projects and people and
all while exceeding expectations. Who wouldn’t want to be a leader?

The reality is that being a leader, having the title, does not mean that you
have all the answers. Being a good leader may mean you have some
answers but not all of them. Being a great leader means you recognize the
need and have the desire to improve every day.

The enemies of grea...

The Magical Qualities of Gratitude

All said and done, we spend a third of our life at work; more than that for some. Who we surround ourselves with, the culture and attitudes we show up for, and how we treat one another matters. From top to bottom of the organizational chart, we can all contribute to creating a workplace worthy of showing up for. It begins with gratitude which according to Forbes, is good for business not to mention our physical and mental well-being. As leaders or someone on the leadership development track, the...

Being Firm: The Cornerstone of Effective Leadership

In leadership, firmness isn’t about rigidity—it’s about clarity and conviction in decision-
making. Being firm means knowing when to stand by a choice or direction, even when
pressures mount. A firm leader demonstrates steadiness, helping teams feel secure in
their work and committed to a shared goal. “In a crisis, don’t hide behind anything or
anybody. They’re going to find you anyway,” said Lee Iacocca, former CEO of Chrysler.
Being firm means accepting responsibility, showing up fully, and setting...

Collaborative Value

Last month, I led a group through the benefits of collaboration. As a leader, you can dominate and dictate, or you can collaborate and facilitate your team’s success. Building influence isn’t about controlling outcomes; it’s about creating an environment where everyone feels they have a stake in achieving goals.

Collaborative teamwork benefits both the team and leadership. Here are the top five I value most:

Self-Awareness
Collaboration requires actively listening and engaging with others’...

Resolve

Leadership is never a smooth ride. If you’re in a position of leadership, you’re likely to
face moments that push you far beyond your comfort zone. Right now, if you’re
grappling with tough decisions and navigating uncertain waters, remember this: stay the
course. Your resolve, wisdom, and ability to make tough calls are exactly what’s needed
in these critical moments.

Consider the Apollo 13 mission, for instance. In 1970, an oxygen tank explosion
crippled the spacecraft, leaving the astronauts wi...