When the Discaya couple appeared in that interview, it was supposed to be inspiring. A “rags-to-riches” story. A glimpse into their glamorous lifestyle. The kind of feature you’d expect to see on a weekend magazine show. But the reaction from Filipinos? “Hindi inspiring. Walang dating.” […]
When Journalists Forget the Truth, Citizens Must Remind Them Read More »
People love to ask me: “Jef, you’ve written more than 10 books. Why keep writing?” My answer? Writing books helped me think better. As a consultant and trainer, I’m full of stories, lessons, and frameworks. I don’t want to wait for the stage to share
The Secret to a “Grand Slam Offer” Book: Why Solving One Problem Completely is Key Read More »
There’s a province where the governor is the father. The congressman is the son. The mayor of the capital town is the daughter. The uncle is a barangay captain. And when elections come around, they switch chairs like it’s a family game of musical chairs.
Breaking the Chains: Why the Philippines Needs an Anti-Political Dynasty Law Read More »
It was one of those sticky afternoons in Makati, the kind where traffic lights feel longer than they should. I was inching forward when the car in front of me hesitated — unsure if it should turn left or right. I stopped just behind it.
There’s a habit that separates those who grow steadily from those who stay stuck. It’s not raw talent. It’s not waiting for opportunities. It’s not even practice—at least, not the way most people understand practice. The secret is this: rehearse before you speak. Not once.
Rehearse Before You Speak: Why Daily Rehearsal Builds Mastery That Lasts Read More »
Do not craft a speech — or hold an event — if you do not know how it can change the lives of those people who are attending.
You do not have to serve the need of everyone, but there is always a starving crowd which you can feed. Feed your crowd, not your ego.
Define the Needs of Your Audience and You Will Not Waste a Single Minute of Their Time Read More »
It doesn’t matter if you’re a CEO in a boardroom, a teacher in front of restless students, or a parent trying to guide your child: leadership always requires storytelling. Because when you lead, you are not just giving instructions. You are shaping vision. You are
It will be easier for you to lead when you know how to tell a story Read More »
A few years ago, I was invited to speak at a regional conference for educators. The organizers told me, “Just talk about motivation—our teachers need inspiration.” So I prepared a rousing talk on goal-setting, vision boards, and the science of motivation. My slides looked sharp.
Listen Before You Speak: Preparing the Way for Resonance Read More »
You can delegate all the right tasks, set the clearest boundaries, and still feel stuck. Why? Because people don’t grow by tasks alone. They grow when someone helps them reflect, stretch, and believe in their potential. That’s where mentoring and coaching come in. Without them,
The Power of Mentoring and Coaching in Delegation Read More »
You’ve handed off tasks. You’ve set boundaries. You’ve checked in. And yet, you still feel like the bottleneck. Every major decision comes back to you. Every approval, every green light, every final word. Delegation frees your hands, but it doesn’t always free your head. That’s
From Delegation to Empowerment: Unleash Your Team’s Potential Read More »
You’ve delegated a task. You feel lighter. Then, a day later, your teammate shows up at your desk: “I hit a problem. What should I do?” You give a quick answer. The next day, they’re back with another roadblock. Soon, you’re not just advising—you’re doing
Stop Reverse Delegation: Keep the Task with the Owner Read More »
Think back to the last time you gave someone a task. Maybe you explained it quickly before a meeting. Maybe it was a late-night chat message. Maybe you scribbled it down on a sticky note. Then a week later, the result wasn’t what you expected.
Document and Debrief – Learning and Upgrading Delegation Read More »
You’ve just delegated a major task. At first, you feel relieved. But an hour later, your mind starts racing. Did they understand the instructions? What if they miss something? What if the client complains? So you check in. Then you check again. And again. Soon,
Step 5: Agree on Check-Ins – Oversight Without Hovering Read More »
Imagine telling someone, “Run as fast as you can!” but tying weights to their ankles. Or asking them to paint a masterpiece, then handing them only a pencil stub. This is what happens when managers delegate without authority and resources. The person technically “owns” the
Step 4: Give Authority & Resources – Opening Doors for Success Read More »
You’ve probably done it: delegated a task with enthusiasm, told someone “This is yours”, and stepped back. A week later, what comes back makes your stomach drop. What went wrong? You gave freedom without rules. Delegation without boundaries isn’t empowerment—it’s chaos. Why Boundaries Matter In
Step 3: Set Boundaries – The Rules of the Delegation Game Read More »
You hand off a task, and deep down you’re thinking: “I hope they don’t mess this up.” Sometimes it works. Sometimes it backfires. And when it does, you swear: “Never again. I’ll just do it myself.” That’s not leadership. That’s gambling. Most managers delegate by
Step 2: Place the Task on the Matrix – Risk vs. Readiness Read More »
You’ve felt it before. You delegate a task, expecting relief. Instead, what comes back makes you sigh: incomplete, off-track, or worse—completely different from what you asked for. You wanted freedom. What you got was double work. Most managers blame the person: “They didn’t listen. They
Step 1: Define the Result – The “Done” Statement Read More »
You’ve probably said it before: “I thought I delegated that.” But the result that came back wasn’t what you expected. The deadline was missed. The deliverable fell short. You ended up redoing the work yourself. Frustration builds—for you and for your team. The problem isn’t
The 7-Step Delegation Play: Your Guide to Clear Handoffs Read More »
Learn the true meaning of real delegation—not just assigning tasks, but transferring ownership and trust. Discover practical ways leaders can delegate effectively, build accountability, and grow capable teams. Written by Jef Menguin, leadership speaker and transformation designer.
Beyond Assigning Tasks: What Real Delegation Looks Like Read More »
You wake up with a list of things you want to accomplish. Maybe it’s a new strategy, a client pitch, or a long-overdue one-on-one with a team member. But by mid-morning, that list has vanished. Emails flood in. Calls stack up. People line up at
Stop Firefighting, Start Leading: The Delegation Game Explained Read More »
Good leaders desire a better world for all. But we cannot wait for good leaders to appear. We must strive to become good leaders - and help those around us become good leaders.
Discover ideas, tips, strategies, and tools to engage employees, build teams, train leaders, wow customers, and grow your business.