ORLANDO, FL - Thriving Leaders Circle, a leadership development program built specifically for new or up-skilling people managers, is now enrolling its fifth group.

With the first version launched in 2023, the program has been fine-tuned, tested, and proven to work—especially for organizations in the fresh produce industry where managers are often promoted from within the ranks and training time and internal bandwidth are often in short supply.

Created by leadership coach Wendy McManus, Thriving Leaders Circle supports professionals who have stepped into management roles after being strong individual contributors. Through a powerful mix of training, coaching, practical tools, and personalized support, participants in this small, intimate group will build the confidence and skills they need to lead people—not just projects.

“Many companies in produce are running lean,” says McManus in a recent press release. “Even with the best intentions, it’s hard to give new managers the guidance they need on the people side of leadership. That’s where Thriving Leaders Circle comes in. We help managers build the mindset and skill set to lead more effectively—without pulling senior leaders away from their own responsibilities.”

Since the first group launched in early 2023, Thriving Leaders Circle has helped dozens of emerging leaders across produce and adjacent industries. And the results speak for themselves: participants consistently report feeling more confident, more equipped, and more intentional in their leadership roles. Even two years later, alumni share that the experience has had a lasting impact on how they show up at work.

“Two years later, I continue to notice a wonderful mindset shift that allows me to tackle challenges so much better. I’m supporting my direct reports in a way that helps them be successful without spoon-feeding the answers to them,” said Jennifer Maltezo of F&S Foods (formerly Calavo).

Each month in Thriving Leaders Circle, participants focus on a different aspect of leadership, including giving feedback, delegation, navigating conflict, building trust, and supporting a positive work culture. They also focus on internal topics, such as managing stress, elevating their inner dialogue, and identifying their core values.

Through a repeating cycle of learning and integration, participants in Thriving Leaders Circle are encouraged to apply their new skills right away. This has made a massive difference, especially when compared to more intensive or short-term training opportunities.

The small-group environment has also been a game-changer, with participants forming close bonds and supporting each other through the inevitable challenges of leadership.

The next group will start in the coming month, with a limited number of seats. An early bird rate is available for a short time, offering significant savings for those who act fast.

To learn more, visit connect2potential.com/tlc. Or schedule a friendly chat with Wendy at connect2potential.com/tlc-call.