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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!

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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"

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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"

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Let’s talk about the uncomfortable truth behind the return-to-office push.

It’s not about culture.
It’s not about collaboration.
And it’s definitely not about those stale bagels in the breakroom.

In this episode of Love Monday, I unpack what’s really going on: control, surveillance, and a system that punishes high performers by giving them more work instead of more reward.

I share why remote work shook the foundation of how companies operate — and why some leaders are desperate to claw that control back. We’ll also look at how remote work gave employees a taste of something dangerous: freedom.

If you’ve ever felt like getting better at your job just earned you more hours without more pay… 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"

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If you're dreading Mondays because your job drains the life out of you, this episode is for you. I’m walking you through my 12-step Bulletproof Process for landing a job that makes you actually look forward to Monday.

Whether you’re stuck in a soul-sucking role or just ready for something more aligned with your strengths and purpose, this isn’t your average job hunt advice. This is a mindset shift + practical roadmap that’s helped dozens of people get unstuck and back on track.

👉 You can DIY it. Or, if you want coaching through the process, I’ve got spots open.

📞 Hit me up at Ryan@LoveMondayLikeFriday.com and book a free intro call. Let’s get you into a job you love.

Bulletproof Process for Loving Monday

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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They say, “It’s not personal—it’s just business.” But what happens when it is personal?

In this raw and timely episode of the Love Monday Podcast, Ryan shares the heartbreaking story of his daughter, who was laid off from the company she had dreamed of working for since she was 13. Like so many others, she was told it wasn’t personal. But the impact on her health, identity, and sense of purpose said otherwise.

We dive into how corporate detachment has become the norm—especially in the years following the pandemic—and explore why that mindset is failing workers. From anxiety and burnout to the erosion of trust and loyalty, this episode highlights the real cost of treating employees like numbers instead of human beings.

You’ll hear:

• The silent toll of layoffs on health, relationships, and mental well-being
• Why “it’s not personal” is a cop-out—and how companies can (and should) do better
• Real data and stories from the front lines of modern work
• A challenge to leaders to rehumanize the workplace before it’s too late

If you’ve ever felt disposable at work, this episode is 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"

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In this episode of the Love Monday Podcast, Ryan Houmand explores a deceptively simple but powerful question: Do they want to lead?

Many people step into management roles because it's the next rung on the ladder—but what if they were never actually interested in leading? Ryan breaks down why some managers never fully embrace leadership—not because they lack the skills, but because they lack the desire. Whether it’s a preference for doing the work over managing people, discomfort with accountability, or a fundamental mismatch in motivation, Ryan reveals why wanting to lead is the first and most important test of leadership.

This episode is perfect for HR leaders, executives, and team builders who want to rethink how they select and support managers. If you've ever wondered why someone in a leadership role avoids actually leading, this conversation will hit home.

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 of Love Monday, I ask a question every organization should be asking about their managers: Will they lead?

Too many managers stay in the weeds, doing the work their teams should be doing—avoiding the hard, essential work of coaching, developing, and leading. Whether it’s clinging to tasks, covering for underperforming team members, or claiming they’re just "helping out," the result is the same: disengaged teams and stalled performance.

I take a look at what real leadership looks like, why so many managers avoid it, and how to spot the difference between a task-doer and a true people-developer. Backed by research from Gallup, Google’s Project Oxygen, Zenger Folkman, and HBR, this episode delivers a no-fluff reality check and a clear framework for evaluating leadership at every level.

If you lead managers, coach leaders, or are a manager yourself, 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"