Derrick McManus

Shot 14 times … and still laughing!

More than just a completely captivating recount of the day this Special Tasks and Rescue (STAR) Group Police Officer was shot 14 times, in less than 5 seconds, with a high-powered rifle and left lying at deaths door for 3 hours before he could be rescued. This is an exceptionally empowering, remarkably moving and surprisingly funny insight into the human spirit rising above adversity and performing well beyond expectations. This is about a man harnessing the power of optimism, passion, contingency planning, goal setting, dreaming big and the ultimate in resilience to achieve the extraordinary.

Experience this very powerful presentation, which is full of deep and meaningful messages that will touch the heart and soul and lift the spirits of anyone who hears it.

Derrick will detail the 3 hours he lay bleeding on the ground with massive injuries with his blood supply getting so low that his vision turned to “pristine white”. He will detail being fully conscious and what it took to control his mind and body. The first doctor to reach him was amazed he was alive but estimated he was just 30 seconds from death. Doctors later predicted Derrick would never return to work as a Police Officer but were again amazed when he did. After two and a half years of roller-coaster rehabilitation, Derrick defied all odds when he didn’t just return to Police duties, he returned to full duties with the elite, physically, mentally and emotionally demanding STAR Group.

“Westfield was looking for a speaker who could demonstrate the importance of (1) operating as a professional team; (2) planning and preparing; (3) setting and achieving goals. Derrick’s life experience was a natural fit and he was able to structure his speech to (incorporate) our corporate objectives. The audience was inspired. Having listened to and engaged motivational speakers for 20 years I rate Derrick as one of the best we have encountered.”
Westfield General Manager, Security.

Derrick is grounded, frank and open. Mix that with a cheeky sense of humour and he will have you literally crying one minute and laughing the next. However, everything he says is laser focussed on meeting the client’s brief.

Derrick’s key points:
• 5 Drivers for Success in Life or Business … they are the same.
• Accept responsibility for building the life you want no matter the adversities.
• Preparation and attitude is the difference between mediocrity or success.
• Everyone has the success gene – learn how to turn it on.
• Focus on the skills you have and make the most of them – get over excuses.
• His survival and later thriving depended on teamwork … so does yours.
• How to build the confidence, courage and capacity to think, act and achieve BIG.

Ultimately, Derrick will leave your audience on the greatest high and realising the power and the tools to take on the world already lies within them. This makes Derrick’s presentation and workshops among the most dynamic and inspiring sessions available in Australia right now.
"Derrick’s workshop at our leadership conference was amazing. From the moment he opened he had us fully engaged. Not only were the sessions empowering, he delivered the content with humour, compassion and total respect for individuals. Feedback shows us that Derrick’s motivation and self-belief is infectious and life changing”.
Amanda Schultz, Business Development Manager, ANZ Bank

NB: As a member of the STAR Group Derrick maintained many specialist skills including Sniper, Diver, and Counter-Terrorist Operative (trained by Australian Army SAS).

Presentations:

Keynotes, half/full day workshops and breakout sessions available.
‘Never Say Die’
‘Get Your Head in the Game’
‘The 7 Pillars of Tactical Leadership’
‘The Magic of Thinking BIG’

Every program is designed to build Confidence, Courage and Capacity in your people.

Keynote Address – ‘Never Say Die’

When Derrick was shot 14 times, in less than 5 seconds, he was literally laughing about ‘what the boys would say when he got back to work’ and it didn’t take long for them to start coming up with some very creative nicknames. With a twisted, warped and cheeky sense of humour, Derrick tells one of the most dramatic and inspirational, true-life stories available in Australia today.

Be inspired by Derrick’s zest for life in this totally open and frank real life account of the event that should have taken his life. Learn how to overcome your biggest challenges and to triumph where others believe it’s impossible.

• Pure inspiration
• 5 Drivers for Success
• How to build confidence, courage and capacity
• Managing attitude and perspective
• Amazing example of resilience
• And much, much more …

Program #1 – Inside Your Head
Keynote or half-day workshop.

The greatest challenge you will ever have to achieving success in your life is ‘Inside Your Head’. This half-day program is ideal for executives and team leaders looking to advance in personal skills. It distills Derrick’s philosophies, behaviours and attitudes into the actual tools, formulas and models to:

• Build self confidence, courage and capacity
• Identify your strengths and develop them
• Identify goals/dreams and mentors to achieve them
• Develop personal confidence to think and perform in ways you have always wanted to
• Relish competition and challenges
• Apply Derrick’s formula for resilience for you
• Turn defeat into resounding victory
• And much, much more …

Program #2 – 7 Pillars of Tactical Leadership
Keynote or half-day workshop.

Military Special Forces selection and training includes the ability to be a leader in the toughest and most demanding work environments in the world. 7 Pillars of Tactical Leadership are distilled from this peak performance arena and are as applicable in the office as they are anywhere. This half-day program will show you how to use the same 7 Pillars to:

• Take control or teams and situations
• Make decisions quickly and confidently
• Form contingency plans
• Give directions and get results
• Deal with discipline in an effortless, positive way
• Simplify risk assessments
• Ensure you and your team are performing at their peak
• And much, much more …

Program #3 – The Magic of Thinking BIG
Keynote or half-day workshop.

Prior to the shooting Derrick planned to survive ‘a shooting’. He had a contingency plan, he had visualised himself succeeding, surviving and thriving afterwards. Derrick was Thinking BIG.

While going through his rehabilitation he was encouraged, by some very influential people, ‘to slow down, relax and enjoy the obvious pension for the rest of his life’, but Derrick was Thinking BIG. He pushed himself for the best he could create whatever that might be. His ultimate aim was to return to family and, despite medical predictions, return to STAR Group. Derrick was Thinking BIG. Let Derrick show your personnel how they too can achieve BIG by thinking BIG.

This program uses analogies from all of Derrick’s life, not just the shooting, to give you proven methods to:

• How to Think BIG and achieve BIG
• Build the confidence, courage and capacity to Think BIG.
• Assess potential impacts of action and inaction.
• Break it all down to simple steps for success
• Stop making excuses and take responsibility for your actions and inactions
• Fighting The Fear Factory based on Derrick’s own book
• And much, much more …

Testimonials:

What previous clients say …

So powerful that we booked Derrick for conferences in four states.
Manager Training and Development, Austbrokers Holdings Ltd

In a room full of people I know to be social and restless I was astounded at the rapt attention being paid. The “Get Your Head in the Game” workshop made it possible to look at ways we confine ourselves by our assumptions and how we can change to be more creative and successful.
Recreation and Human Services Director, San Leandro, California

“As a CEO I have an attention span of two minutes but Derrick held me riveted for 90 minutes – he was exceptional”
CEO, Q-Comp (Queensland Compensation Scheme)

What Derrick has to say is directly transferable and usable when you walk into the office on Monday morning. It’s very practical and very powerful.
President, Australian Property Institute

Westfield was looking for a speaker who could demonstrate the importance of (1) operating as a professional team, (2) planning and preparing for all eventualities, (3) setting and delivering goals. Derrick’s life experience was a natural fit and in addition he was able to structure his speech to touch on our corporate objectives. The audience was inspired by his courage, tenacity and honesty and having listened to and/or engaged over 20 motivational speakers I rate Derrick as one of the best we have encountered.
General Manager - Security Westfield

He will inspire you. He is so energetic and enthusiastic. Most importantly, he shows a genuine interest in you and what you need.
State Manager, Macquarie Wealth Management

Not only is Derrick’s presentation a strong metaphor for many facets of organizational life, it goes much deeper, evoking strong emotions that question the meaning, value, quality and ultimately purpose of ones life.
Human Resource Manager, Lifeplan Funds Management

Derrick’s situation was such that I felt many parallels could be drawn to illustrate goal setting, teamwork, perseverance and determination, training, focus and courage. He delivered his talk in a very natural, open and insightful manner. It had a very positive effect on my staff.
Executive General Manager (SA), Hudson

Derrick’s workshop at our leadership conference was amazing. From the moment he opened with his personal experience he had us fully engaged. Not only were the sessions so empowering, he delivered the content with humour, compassion and total respect for individuals. Feedback shows that Derrick’s motivation and self-belief is infectious and life changing.
Amanda Schultz, Business Development Manager, ANZ Bank

From a 2009 AIMS Insurance Conference:
Riveting - He is an amazing person – Webster Hyde Heath Ins Brokers
Very good lesson in how to rise above life's tests & trials – Webster Hyde Heath Ins Brokers
Extremely interesting and motivational – MGA Insurance
What an inspirational man – Webster Hyde Heath Ins Brokers
Amazing to hear how powerful the mind and will to live can be – MGA Insurance
Inspirational story and great way to finish conference off – Austbrokers
Brilliant talk, brilliant man, brilliant ideas! – Webster Hyde Heath Ins Brokers
Inspiring story of survival helped by training and being able to remain focused at all times – Webster Hyde Heath Ins Brokers