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Are customer and partner escalations on the rise in your company? If so — don’t blame your team. Blame your leadership habits.

In this episode of the Love Monday Podcast, we pull back the curtain on one of the most common leadership mistakes managers make: unintentionally teaching their employees to escalate more.

Escalations aren’t just a customer service problem — they’re a leadership signal. And how you handle them sends powerful messages about trust, empowerment, and team confidence.

Join us as we explore:
✅ Why escalations are rising right now
✅ How managers accidentally reinforce the escalation cycle
✅ A simple, proven model to empower your team and reduce escalations
✅ The manager phrases that build trust — and the ones that erode it
✅ Why breaking the escalation cycle helps your employees love Monday again

Did you know?
➡️ Only 30% of U.S. employees strongly agree their opinions count at work — a key driver of unnecessary escalations.
➡️ Companies with high employee empowerment see up to 50% reduction in escalations and higher engagement and retention.

If you’re a leader who wants fewer customer escalations and a more empowered, confident team — this episode is for you.

Listen now and start turning those Monday escalations into leadership wins!

Support the show

For more information on how to love Monday just like Friday, got to: LoveMondayLikeFriday.com. Find more information from Ryan on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-houmand/

Get the book! "A Passion for Monday"

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Why are more employees disengaged, distrustful, and ready to leave than ever before? In this episode of the Love Monday Podcast, I unpack a real-world story of a dedicated employee who gave her all to her company — only to be terminated when she asked for flexibility. This isn’t an isolated case. Across industries, companies are increasingly breaking the psychological contract with their people — sacrificing loyalty, trust, and long-term engagement for short-term risk avoidance.

Backed by the latest research from Gallup, McKinsey, Edelman, and PwC, I explore why so many organizations are losing their most committed employees, how leadership behaviors are eroding trust, and what the best companies do differently to retain top talent.

If you’re a CHRO, people leader, manager, or employee navigating today’s changing work landscape, this is the conversation you can’t afford to miss.

We’ll cover:
✅ Why employee trust in leadership is at a historic low
✅ How companies are quietly dismantling flexible work — and paying the price
✅ The hidden costs of breaking the psychological contract
✅ The role of psychological safety in engagement and retention
✅ Actionable steps leaders must take to rebuild trust and loyalty

Don’t let your company become a cautionary tale. Tune in now and learn how to build the kind of workplace where employees love Monday — and stick around to prove it.

Support the show

For more information on how to love Monday just like Friday, got to: LoveMondayLikeFriday.com. Find more information from Ryan on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-houmand/

Get the book! "A Passion for Monday"

Send us a text

In this episode, we explore the power of praise and why so many leaders miss the opportunity to lift their people up. I share a personal story about my daughter Lauren, who, after four years with a boss who only pointed out what she could do better, finally experienced real recognition at her new job. Her new boss not only praised her directly but also made it public by cc’ing her boss’s boss – a powerful move that left a lasting impact. We break down the top reasons leaders struggle with recognition and why a simple, well-placed compliment can change everything. If you want to create a culture where your people love Monday, this one’s for you.

Support the show

For more information on how to love Monday just like Friday, got to: LoveMondayLikeFriday.com. Find more information from Ryan on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-houmand/

Get the book! "A Passion for Monday"