Jeff McManus on Transforming Weeders into Leaders: Landscaping, Leadership, and Impact at the University of Mississippi

The L3 Leadership Podcast with Doug Smith

Episode Summary: In this episode of the L3 Leadership Podcast, Jeff McManus, the pioneer behind the breathtaking landscapes at the University of Mississippi, shares his methods to motivating individuals to share his vision and achieve remarkable goals.

About Jeff: Jeff McManus grows things. As the landscape leader at the University of Mississippi, he grows plants….he grows people….and he grows fresh ideas. In his side hustle, Jeff speaks and works with problem-solvers all across the country, who understand that doing more with less is a key to being productive and profitable. Taking his team, affectionately known as “weeders,”and cultivating them into “leaders” has reaped acres of rewards in the form of national recognition by the USA Today, Princeton Review, Newsweek and the New York Times. Building on that momentum, Jeff has designed a professional development course that allows other organizations to duplicate the success of working smarter and not harder called Landscape University.

Jeff graduated from Auburn University in Horticulture, he is a Professional Certified Grounds Manager, and a Certified Arborist. Jeff knows that great leaders grow great leaders, and as a professional speaker and a member of the National Speaker Association, his message focuses on enriching, entertaining, and inspiring industry leaders looking to grow their team’s performance.

3 Key Takeaways:
1. We explore Jeff's L2L leader to leader program, that has brought about a cultural shift within his team and has positively impacted the lives of many.
2. Jeff shares the essence of his Landscape University, his unique program that focuses on skill development and cultivating greatness in each team member.
3.He talks about his unique communication strategies and the team's 'Landscaping Creed', recited at weekly meetings
Quotes From the Episode:
"It's all about inspiring others to be a part of that vision and that they're they feel empowered to do great, great things."

"The one thing is caring about people, investing in people, helping people no matter where they are, helping them to be the best them they can be, and so that's how I live out my faith."

Resources Mentioned:
Growing Weeders into Leaders by Jeff McManus
Drive by Daniel Pink
The Leadership Challenge by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner
Change the Culture, Change the Game by Roger Connors, Tom Smith
Connect with Jeff:
Website | LinkedIn | Instagram