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|Jimmy Burroughes|4 min read

Why Two Managers on the Same Programme Get Different Results

A figure at a fork of diverging paths with one route lit, illustrating decision making

Yesterday I had two conversations that between them explain why some leaders break through and others stay buried in the same problems month after month.

Let me tell you about Rachel first.

Rachel joined Amplify Leadership Live three months ago as a Regional Manager working 60-plus hour weeks, constantly reactive, with a team frustrated by the lack of direction.

From day one, Rachel made a decision: she was going to engage fully with everything on offer.

She completed every pre-work exercise with care. She arrived at the two-day catalyst ready to implement, not just to listen.

She used the tools.

She applied the 5-minute pause technique before every major decision.

She ran the 1% improvement framework daily.

She practised the delegation strategies, even when it felt uncomfortable.

She attended every monthly coaching session, booked a slot in every coaching hotspot, and engaged in the WhatsApp group. She asked questions and applied the feedback.

Last week, Rachel called with news: she has been promoted to General Manager.

Her words: "Jimmy, I finally feel like a leader instead of just someone who gets things done. My team trusts me, I have strategic headspace, and I'm working 45 hours a week instead of 60."

Then there's Marcus.

Marcus joined the cohort before Rachel. Same tools. Same support. Same frameworks.

He made a different choice.

He treated Amplify as something that should deliver results to him, rather than something he needed to commit to.

He rushed through the pre-work ("I get the concept").

He attended the two-day event but did not engage with the implementation exercises.

He downloaded all the resources and applied none of them consistently.

He missed most of the coaching calls ("too busy"), never booked a coaching hotspot, and was silent on WhatsApp.

Yesterday, Marcus told me he is still struggling with the same challenges he had three months ago. He is burning out and not performing.

"I thought coming on Amplify would make things better," he said.

The reality is that Marcus did not come on Amplify. He barely showed up, which is the same pattern playing out in his leadership.

After working with thousands of leaders, here is what I know:

The frameworks work. The methodology works. The support works.

But only when you use them.

Rachel and Marcus had access to the exact same system. One engaged with it fully. The other stayed on the sidelines. Rachel changed her career trajectory. Marcus accumulated knowledge without changing anything about his day.

When you invest in your leadership development, are you ready to be like Rachel? To engage with the strategies and implement the tools rather than file them away?

The next Amplify Leadership Live cohort starts in September in NZ. Places are limited to 12 participants and three are already reserved, so everyone gets the attention they need.

If you are looking for a solution that works without your engagement, this is not it.

The choice is yours. The tools are proven. The support is there.

SECURE YOUR SPOT NOW

Jimmy

P.S. Rachel's promotion came with a 40% salary increase. That is what happens when you choose to engage fully with proven leadership strategies rather than collect them.


[About the Author: Jimmy Burroughes transforms overwhelmed managers into strategic leaders through the Simplify to Amplify methodology. Through his Amplify Leadership program, he helps leaders reclaim their time and maximise their impact.]

If this sounds like your week

Your managers are not the problem. They are where the problem is stuck.

When your last leadership spend was signed off, did anyone go back to those managers' bosses and ask what changed? That question is the JBL Outcome Standard, and it is how I work.

Managers I work with reclaim around four hours a week, and their bosses score the change 8.75 out of 10. Would it be a crazy idea to find out how we did this? Book a scoping call.

Questions managers ask about this

Why do some managers get better results from the same leadership program?

Managers who fully engage with the program's tools and coaching sessions see better results. Consistent application of techniques like the 5-minute pause and daily improvement frameworks leads to improved leadership and team trust. Those who only attend without applying the methods often remain stuck in the same challenges.

How can I tell if my leadership development investment is working?

Look for changes in how managers use the tools and frameworks provided. If they complete exercises, attend coaching, and apply new strategies consistently, progress is likely. If they remain reactive, skip sessions, or fail to implement changes, the investment may not be delivering results.

What practical steps help a manager become more strategic and less reactive?

Using techniques such as a brief pause before decisions, daily small improvements, and practising delegation regularly can help. Engaging fully with coaching sessions and applying feedback also creates space for strategic thinking rather than constant firefighting.

How can a general manager support their team’s leadership progress effectively?

Ensure managers commit to leadership programs by encouraging full participation in exercises and coaching. Monitor their application of tools and hold them accountable for implementing changes. Providing time and support for these activities helps shift managers from reactive to strategic leadership.

Episodes of The High Performance Leader that cover the same ground.

Jimmy Burroughes, Founder of JBL High Performance

Jimmy Burroughes

Founder

Former British Army officer and corporate GM who has transformed 3,000+ managers into leaders across 30+ organisations. Creator of the Simplify to Amplify methodology, author of Beat Burnout, Ignite Performance, and two-time Global Recognition Award winner.

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