The Love Monday Podcast

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In this short but fiery episode, Ryan breaks down one of the most damaging habits in the workplace: promoting top performers into management without checking if they’re wired for people leadership. Discover what it means to be a people-genius — someone who lights up when others grow — and why coaching, empathy, and development are non-negotiables for any leader.

Ryan shares simple, powerful interview questions you can ...

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What if the secret to improving performance and employee engagement lies in what gives you energy at work?

In this episode, I break down a simple yet powerful strengths-based leadership concept using Gainers & Drainers. We explore how to detect real talent—your own or your team's—by paying attention to which tasks energize you and which ones deplete you.

Perfect for managers looking to elevate team performance,...

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There’s a long-standing myth in management: “You’re not here to be liked—you’re here to be respected.” But what if that mindset is sabotaging your team?

In this episode of The Love Monday Podcast, Ryan Houmand challenges the false dichotomy of being liked vs. respected as a leader. Drawing on research from Gallup, Google’s Project Oxygen, and Don Clifton’s Soar with Your Strengths, Ryan makes a compelling case for why ...

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Why are we so afraid to say what we really think at work—or on LinkedIn?

In this episode, Ryan resurrects the classic Jim Rome mantra, “Have a take and don’t suck,” to explore why so many professionals stay silent in the face of important, even urgent, conversations. From DEI and layoffs to employee well-being and leadership accountability, too many people are editing themselves out of the discussion. Why? Fear of judg...

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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 s...

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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, ...

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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 le...

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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 foun...

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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 road...

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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 i...

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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’...

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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...

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In this episode of The Love Monday Podcast, I ask a tough but necessary question: Why do we keep settling for mediocre leadership? It started with a conversation I had with a friend. I dropped the stat from Gallup—that organizations choose the wrong person for management 82% of the time—and she pushed back. But as we kept talking, even she admitted her current and past leaders weren’t exactly stellar.

We dig into this ...

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If you’re job hunting, don’t just look for a better paycheck—look for a better boss. A great manager can make or break your experience at work, and finding the right leadership could be the key to loving Monday just as much as Friday.

In this episode, I break down 12 essential questions you can use to evaluate a potential boss before you take the job. These questions will help you assess leadership style, company cultu...

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Not sure if you’re working for a good company with a great manager—or if you’re just surviving in a toxic workplace? In this episode, I break down 12 critical test questions to help you evaluate whether your manager and organization are truly employee-oriented. If you disagree with any of these, and especially if layoffs are looming, it may be time to update that resume and start looking elsewhere.

👉 Are your contribu...

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Layoffs aren’t just unfortunate events—they’re a lagging indicator of management failure. In this episode, I break down why layoffs signal a lack of vision from upper management and how failing to coach employees and track productivity at the frontline leads companies straight into trouble.

If your company is laying people off, it’s already too late—leadership missed the warning signs, and you might be next. Tune in to...

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Your personal brand is more than just a LinkedIn profile—it’s how you show up in the world, online and off. In this episode, I sit down with branding expert Lindsey Carnett to talk about the power of building your personal brand through your own website, optimizing your LinkedIn presence, and managing your online reputation. Whether you're a leader, entrepreneur, or job seeker, Lindsey shares practical tips to he...

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Can AI help build better leaders? Robert Buckley, Chief People Architect at Enveda, says yes—but only if you start with the right leadership philosophy. In this episode, Robert shares how AI and data-driven insights transform leadership development and manager effectiveness. He emphasizes that "people create all value" and that great leadership starts with knowing where to focus.

We dive into:
✅ The role ...

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It was the best of management; it was the worst of management. A tale of two managers, where one inspires their team to thrive, and the other leaves their team in disarray. In leadership, just like in Dickens’ classic A Tale of Two Cities, we see contrasts—hope and despair, light and darkness, order and chaos. Today, we’re diving into what separates the 93rd percentile manager from the 7th percentile, unpacking the le...