Wendy McManus – Page 2 – Connect 2 Potential

Appreciation for the Leaders Who Keep Showing Up

I became a leadership coach almost ten years ago. It wasn’t a perfectly mapped-out plan—it was more like following a whisper. Over the years, that whisper has been tested by doubt, uncertainty, and more than a few sleepless nights. But what has continually pointed me forward is you—the people who choose growth even when it’s…

5 Tips for A Peaceful Thanksgiving

As Thanksgiving approaches, you may be preparing to pack up and travel across the country—or just across town—for a gathering with special people. Or maybe you’re the host this year, opening your home to welcome family and friends into your personal space. How do you feel about it? As much as we would love for…

The #1 Mindset Shift for Receiving Feedback

I’ve just returned from my fourth trip this year to work with a client team on the topic of feedback. We looked at feedback from many angles, but there was one key concept woven through each session… Feedback is a gift. Not a threat. Not a punishment. Not a mark of failure. And when you…

Are You Using the Coach Approach?

I’m getting ready to lead a new 2026 Thriving Leaders Circle cohort, and it’s got me thinking about the heart of my message: coach-like leadership. If you’ve been following me for a long time, you may know exactly what I mean by that. But if not, I want to share the philosophy behind everything I…

The Turning Point: How You Add Value

While coaching newer managers in their first leadership role, there’s something I’ve noticed across the board: Success-driven people are wired to add value. But what does it really mean to ‘add value’? We often think of ways to provide value that are instantly gratifying: closing a deal, finishing a report, completing a project… But there’s…

Are You Filling Your Life with Big Rocks or Pebbles?

A few weeks ago when I shared about using “Personal Growth Graffiti,” I mentioned my “Big Rocks” list for the quarter. I keep this list on one of the whiteboards in my office, as a constant reminder of my priorities. You’ve probably heard of the concept of “Big Rocks”. It’s the idea that if we…

Can You Catch 20 Tennis Balls?

My very first coach, Barbara Poole, was a wise woman and a master of metaphors. She once told me, “Wendy, if you throw a tennis ball at someone, they can catch it. If you throw two tennis balls at them, they can probably catch them. But if you throw 20 tennis balls at them, they’re…

“Personal Growth Graffiti” To Make Inspiration Stick

Have you noticed that those fleeting moments of inspiration don’t always stick? A single well-timed line or conversation might inspire you to get out there and tackle your problems head-on. But all that excitement can quickly dissolve in the face of the daily grind. So when those moments of inspiration come…capture them and don’t let…

Give “Future Me” A Vote To Boost Your Motivation

Ever have one of those days where you know what you should be doing…but you’re met with resistance at every turn? Maybe you’re trying to live healthier, but right now Netflix sounds a lot more appealing than getting your daily steps in. Or maybe you have some upcoming deadlines, but you’re procrastinating for as long…

What Makes You Feel Alive?

Recently I was feeling a little bit meh. I wasn’t super sad and I wasn’t super happy. I was just… “meh”. Unmotivated. Apathetic. Going through the motions. Have you ever felt this way? It’s jarring, isn’t it? You feel like something’s missing in your life, but you can’t put your finger on it. Each day…