Growing Weeders Into Leaders: Leadership Lessons from the Ground Up
SKU: 19489238088

Growing Weeders Into Leaders: Leadership Lessons from the Ground Up

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Growing Weeders Into Leaders: Leadership Lessons from the Ground UpAt some point in this postmodern life, individual greatness has lost its appeal for many of us. It has been commodified and relegated to those who are measured by shortest longest times, impressive distances, highest heights, lowest lows, medals won, honors givenand againAristotle and Nike got it rightGREATNESS is what we can DOevery daywithout recognition or reward, but for the satisfaction that comes from meeting the challenge, creating a team, and

At some point in this postmodern life, individual greatness has lost its appeal for many of us. It has been commodified and relegated to those who are measured by shortest/longest times, impressive distances, highest heights, lowest lows, medals won, honors givenand againAristotle and Nike got it rightGREATNESS is what we can DOevery daywithout recognition or reward, but for the satisfaction that comes from meeting the challenge, creating a team, and overcoming the odds. And that is what Growing Weeders into Leaders is about.

It is an entertaining and thoughtful look into the hearts and the workday lives of ordinary people - just like you and me - who tapped into their inner greatness in pursuit of a vision. Creating one of America's most beautiful college campuses, at Ole Miss, did not happen overnight and, inside these pages, Jeff McManus describes the joys, the defeats, the brilliant problem-solving and the "best laid plans" that are proven worthless...until the bigger picture is told. It is the "bigger picture" told from the ground level. Growing Weeders into Leaders takes you through the practical applications of empowering people to experience not only what it means to grow outstanding landscapes, but also to grow greatness in themselves and encourage it in others.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jeff McManus grows things. As the Director of Landscape Services at the University of Mississippi, he grows plants.he grows people.he grows ideas. Jeff is a problem-solver, understanding that doing more with less is a 21st century mandate.

After coming to the University in 2000, Jeff took on the challenge of managing a multi-million dollar landscaping beautification implementation project. Faced with a demand for excellence and high productivity, and a stagnant budget, Jeff knew that growing the people was critical to growing the plants. Through that experience, Jeff developed his approach to managing resources and developing personnel his GROW-theory; a management and professional development approach based in the belief that all humans either strive for or have within them the elements of Greatness, Resiliency, Opportunity and Wisdom they just need a fertile environment to GROW.

Taking his grounds staff, affectionately known as weeders, and developing them into leaders has been a joyous challenge that reaped acres of rewards in the form of national recognition by the Princeton Review, PGMS, Newsweek and every faculty, staff, student and visitor who has walked onto the Ole Miss Campus. Building on that momentum, Jeff has designed a professional development plan for his Weeders called Landscape University a replicable training program that promotes the individual's innate ability to GROW.

Jeff holds a Bachelor of Science in Landscape and Ornamental Horticulture from Auburn University and is a PGMS Certified Grounds manager, and Certified Arborist. His message rings true for any industry leader or manager looking to GROW a high-performance and dedicated workforce. Jeff has spoken at Caterpillar Inc, the Biltmore Estates, Leadercast, SRAPPA, Trent Lott Leadership Institute as well as the SEC Ole Miss Athletics. He has also worked with Memphis University, the University of Tennessee, the University of Georgia and private firms in developing their own training programs.

REVIEWS:

OKthis is big. Here's a leader who understands the importance of weekly staff meetingsbut has reduced his own talking time in meetings down to five percent. Incredible!
-John W. Pearson

Beautiful in its simplicity, this lesson on leadership is much-needed in today's world of business, non-profits and more. I love how Jeff takes lessons from horticulture and applies them to people and leading others. One of my favorite moments is when Jeff shows us how working smarter is so much better than just working more hours and "working harder." One thing that struck me was the idea that everyone is a leader - or at least has the potential. I've always thought that some businesses just need "button pushers" and "warm bodies" and that's okay. In reality, every person in an organization has the potential - and the responsibility - to be a leader. Getting us all there and getting the buy-in is up to the experienced leaders - but we all have a part to play. That was a great epiphany. Thanks Jeff!
-Dan Moyle

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SKU: 19489238088

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Clear, practical and inspiring
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12 Universal Skills is the perfect guide for building confidence at work. The authors focus on the skills that really matter and explain them in a way that’s easy to apply right away. It’s practical, motivating, and full of useful insights—ideal for anyone starting their career or wanting a fresh boost. Highly recommended!
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Starting a new job or navigating a career change can feel overwhelming, but this guide makes the process much less intimidating. In 12 Universal Skills, Peter Scheele and Nina Bech-Andersen break down the habits and mindsets that lead to real success, focusing on practical skills like communication, resilience, and influence. The advice is clear and easy to apply, with examples that feel relevant, no matter your industry. What stands out is how the book encourages you to take small steps that add up to big results. By the end of the reading, you’re left with a toolkit that feels both empowering and realistic, a perfect package for anyone looking to build a strong base for their work life.
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One of the things I appreciate most about this book is how it breaks down each skill into manageable and easy-to-understand sections. The author does an excellent job of explaining the skills clearly and concisely, providing real-world examples that help to bring each skill to life. The 12 skills covered in the book are wide-ranging and cover essential areas such as teamwork, networking, communication, and decision-making. Whether you are just starting your career or looking to improve your skills as a seasoned professional, I found that this book has something to offer. Another standout feature of this book is the practical tips and techniques. Overall, I highly recommend "12 Universal Skills: The Beginner's Guide to a Successful Work Life" for anyone looking to develop their professional skills. It is an excellent resource that can help you succeed in your career, and I believe that it will be particularly valuable to young professionals, like myself, just starting out. So, if you are looking for a guide to help you develop the skills you need to succeed in your career, this book is an excellent place to start.
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As a fresh graduate student from high school or even college and entering the workforce for the first time, soft skills such as communication, professionalism, team-building skills, and even how to handle conflict in the workplace, are sometimes hard to come by. This book will take you through 12 of the most essential skills you will need to be successful at work as well as your personal life. The two authors pooled their considerable work expertise and laid out the book in an easy to read and understand manner. I was able to really grasp what they were saying and what I needed to do in order to practice and develop my soft skills. A fantastic book for those starting out their careers!
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Ms. Cross is an excellent writer. This is the second book she has written that I have read. It is a pleasure to read a writer peel layers uopn layers of themselves revealing their vulnerability. She has many receipts for those who have wronged her, but at the same time she is her harshest critic. However, in this book her criticism is constructive, loving, and a roadmap for the rest of us to learn to love self. This is a joy to read. I learned a lot and this book challenged me to critically analyze my past and present relationships with women in my life. Thank you to Ms. Cross for writing a heartfelt memoir.
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