Jef Menguin is an engaging keynote speaker and dynamic corporate trainer sought by CEOs and HR leaders in the Philippines. He is distinguished for sharing actionable ideas and easy-to-use frameworks on leadership, growth mindset, resilience, and teamwork.
Filipino values are cultural beliefs and assumptions about what is socially desirable, and therefore, there are expectations on how one must behave in certain situations. Filipino values are inherently positive, however, some values like utang na loob and pakikisama are often abused.
30 Filipino Values: Cultural Beliefs that Shape Our Behaviors Read More »
Monday, 9:07 AM. A client message drops: “We need a change. ASAP.” You’re not the manager. Not the “lead.” But you’re the one who saw the risk first. And you feel that familiar pause: Baka mali ako. Wait ko muna. That pause feels safe. Until
The meeting was supposed to be quick. Monday morning. Same conference room. Same deadline pressure. Paolo—operations manager, reliable, the guy who hates wasting people’s time—walked in carrying a deck he stayed up late polishing. He had done his part. He had the numbers. He had
If You Want Better Decisions, Ask Better Questions Read More »
Mara was still at her desk at 7:12 PM. Not because she had more work. Because she had one email she couldn’t send. It was a simple update to her boss. Two short paragraphs. One clear request. But she rewrote it again and again, like
You open the document at 9 AM. You tell yourself, “I’ll start after I reply to this.” Then another message arrives. Then a meeting. Then a quick favor for a teammate. At 5 PM, the document is still open. Not finished. Not even started. That’s
The Do It Now Rule: Start in 2 Minutes, Even Without Motivation Read More »
The task isn’t complicated. But you open the file and nothing happens. You stare at the blank page. You reread the instruction. You feel that quiet resistance—then your hand reaches for something safer: messages, email, small tasks, quick fixes. By the end of the day,
One Next Step: The Clarity Move That Breaks the Mañana Habit Read More »
By Wednesday, the week feels crowded. The inbox is loud. The chat keeps moving. The deck is due. Someone wants numbers. Someone wants an update. Then a new “urgent” request lands on top of everything. You can see the work. You want to do the
Cut the List: How to Shrink Overwhelm Into One Move Read More »
The calendar was full. The person was responsive. But when the boss asked, “Can we send it today?” the room went quiet. The draft was still a draft. The decision was still “being studied.” The message was still “almost ready.” The honest answer was simple:
Do It Scared: The Fear Loop Behind the Mañana Habit Read More »
The document is open. Two minutes later, you’re replying in chat. Then checking email. Then “quickly” reviewing a file someone sent. At 5 PM, the document is still open… but nothing moved. That’s how a modern workday steals progress. Not through laziness. Through switching. This
Phone Down, Work Up: Beat the “Switching Trap” and ship what matters Read More »
It’s the middle of the week. A client asks, “Any update?” Your boss follows up, “Can we send it today?” A teammate pings, “Is the deck ready?” And the most dangerous answer in professional life shows up: “None yet.” Not because the person didn’t work.
Most people don’t tune you out because you’re boring. They tune you out because your opening makes them do work. They have to guess what this is about, why it matters, and where you’re taking them. So their brain protects itself. It drifts. That’s why
You know that moment when you finish speaking, and you feel a little unsure—like you said many things, but you’re not sure what actually landed? You had content. You had good intentions. You even had slides. But your talk still felt like a long hallway
Storyboarding: When Your Talk Feels Like a Hallway With No Doors Read More »
If you’re tired of advice and stuck conversations, start with “I.” Learn the pronoun shift that turns complaints into commitment—and use the Pronoun Reset in 60 seconds.
From Blame to Power: Replace “You Should” With “I Will” Read More »
When something goes wrong, don’t lead with blame. Lead with ownership. One calm line—“My fault”—drops fear, raises learning, and earns real trust fast.
Say “My Fault” First: The Fastest Way to Earn Trust Read More »
Stop playing safe in meetings. Don’t just report problems—bring two options and recommend. Become the person people lean on.
Have you ever met someone who always has a reason? Not a crazy reason. A reasonable reason. And that’s why it spreads. It sounds smart. It sounds experienced. It sounds like “reality.” Until one day, it isn’t just a reason anymore. It’s their brand. We
How Victimhood Grows Quietly—Then Becomes Your Identity at Work Read More »
Have you ever been right… and still lost? I’m talking about that moment at work when you say, “Not my fault,” and the evidence is on your side. You have the email trail, the follow-ups, and the screenshots. You did your part. And yet the
Miko was the kind of teammate you want when things get messy. He fixed broken handoffs. He cleaned spreadsheets no one wanted to touch. He caught small errors before they became big escalations. But during his check-in, his manager said something that felt unfair. “You’re
You can be working hard all week and still feel exposed on Friday. Not because you’re failing. Because your progress has no shape outside your head. So when someone asks for an update, you don’t share proof. You share explanations. You talk longer than you
Paolo had been with the company for five years. He wasn’t a rookie, but he wasn’t “senior” either. He was in that middle space where people expect you to deliver without being told, but you still don’t have enough authority to make big calls alone.
Ask for Advice: The Safest Way to Show Your Work Read More »