How Can I Make Mondays More Like Fridays?


How Can I Make Mondays More Like Fridays? 




A powerful Insight from a leader (shared with his permission)

In a coaching conversation last Friday with Shankar , the Managing Director of PSI-IPL, a social enterprise in India, an interesting observation he made led to an insightful discussion. As with the case in most authentic connects, the conversation focused on the whole person - both the professional and the family man. He noticed that his family, those around him at work and himself included typically feel a bounce/a buoyancy/ a lightness that was more pronounced on Fridays as compared to Mondays. 

This was palpable at home as well. He had noticed that his teenager daughter too was more open and willing to engage in deeper discussions on a Friday evening as compared to any other week night. On other weekdays, the conversations were mainly transactional in nature - “Can do this?” “I need X” etc. 

As the conversation deepened, he drew the parallel with something similar happening at work. That folks were more relaxed and willing to have deeper/more meaningful conversations later on in the week as compared to on Mondays. Then the penny dropped for him - “Wow, and we typically have our Senior Management Meeting first thing on Monday mornings…..” 

After a while, he asked a pointed question (to himself) - “How can I make Mondays more like Fridays?” 

In the exploration that followed, Shankar arrived at the following deeper insight - A sense of space, safety and support (my new three “S”) are essential to foster deeper conversations……We went on to a further exploration of how he could facilitate this both at home and work. When I checked in with Shankar on Sunday, he was really happy that he had acted upon this insight. He recognises that implementing this at work poses different challenges….but the commitment is there. Stay tuned for how this pans out. 

Clearly each of us will have our own unique ways to create the energies we need. Kudos to Shankar for asking, trying out new approaches and finally be willing to share his experience. This exploration within caught my attention. Does it catch yours? Look forward to hearing how this resonated with you. 

Meanwhile, here is short 90 second video that can help you jumpstart your Monday. 


This is of course a ‘bandaid’ solution. A deeper look within ala what Shankar is doing, may lead to richer transformational experiences. I would of course luv to hear about your journey within. 

Best wishes. 

Mindfully,

Sanjay

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Importance of Rekindling Play – 5 Days in Bir, June 2024

Image
  The Importance of Rekindling Play – 5 Days in Bir, June 2024 Feeling overwhelmed and stressed? Sometimes, taking a step back to rekindle play and patience can be transformative. Over the past week, I attended a program called “A Primer on Patience” at the Deer Park Institute in Bir, Himachal Pradesh, India. This program, based on Buddhist psychology, offered a ‘light-touch’ approach to imparting deep-rooted wisdom in an interactive and enjoyable manner accessible to everyone. I had previously studied under the lead trainer, Nivedita, and her down-to-earth and practical style of imparting wisdom resonated deeply with me. More importantly, Nivedita embodies humility and warmth, making the experience even more enriching. Here are five key insights and takeaways from my time there: 1. I Felt Free and Energized! I had forgotten how much I love sharing space with like-minded individuals in a fun learning and authentic sharing environment. We learned, we shared, we drew, we laughed, and...
Read more

We Are All on 'Standby'....

Image
We Are All On 'Standby'.... In the past few days, three poignant experiences wove themselves into a single narrative that felt too significant not to share. The first is something we all experience this time of year: the turning of the calendar . One year ends, and another begins. It’s a natural time to reflect, reset, and reimagine what’s ahead. The second was attending a memorial service for a young man who tragically passed away. It was a moving tribute, but also a stark reminder of life’s unpredictability. As I sat there, a friend shared about their elderly parent, deeply suffering, and said, “I wish they would find peace and move on.” The contrast was striking: here was a young man, full of life and promise, gone too soon, while another life lingered on amidst suffering. The third came from my own home. My daughter is preparing to leave for the U.S. on a standby ticket, arranged through her cousin. When people asked, “When are you leaving?” she replied, “Maybe today,” be...
Read more

"I have no intention of dying before my death" - Lessons from a Centurion

Image
  Living Fully and Leading with Intention "I have no intention of dying before my death." This powerful declaration set the tone for an inspiring morning, offering valuable insights for today’s leaders. We gathered in a sunlit, glass-enclosed room—a perfect setting for a Sunday filled with meaningful conversations and deep reflections. The atmosphere was warm, the coffee was perfect, but the true highlight of the morning was a discussion with a centenarian who had recently celebrated his 100th birthday. For the next hour, we were guided through a fascinating conversation about life lessons and their relevance in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing world. This centenarian’s wisdom was profound, and as leaders, we were reminded that leadership is as much about character and wisdom as it is about strategy and execution. Here are some key lessons that stood out, offering valuable guidance for leaders at every stage: "I have no intention of dying before my death." This sta...
Read more