A Monday in the Life of a Manager
When Mondays Are More Than Meetings
Early in my management career, I started stacking most of my 1-on-1s on Mondays.
It was my way of setting the tone for the week—catching up, aligning priorities, and clearing roadblocks before they could grow into real problems.
Some conversations were energizing.
Some were about fine-tuning a project or giving someone space to think out loud.
And sometimes… there was one conversation I couldn’t stop thinking about all weekend.
The one that could go in five different directions.
The one I needed to get right.
The Looming Conversation
Most of my Monday meetings were straightforward. But every now and then, one would weigh on me. It might be about a performance concern, an interpersonal conflict, or a sensitive change in priorities.
Those were the conversations where I’d rehearse my words in my head on the drive in. Where I’d quietly run through “what if” scenarios while making coffee. Sometimes, I’d even pull in another manager to role-play the conversation with me—just to make sure I didn’t miss something important.
Because once you’re in the room, you only get one shot at how you start.
Why Mondays Matter for Managers
Monday 1-on-1s aren’t just check-ins—they’re your chance to:
- Remove distractions before they spiral.
- Set clear priorities for the week.
- Address conflicts before they fester.
- Reinforce trust and clarity with each person on your team.
If you’re intentional, Monday can make the rest of the week smoother for everyone. If you’re not, issues can snowball fast.
The Balancing Act
The tricky part? Monday conversations are rarely all the same tone.
At 9:00, you might be celebrating a win.
At 9:30, you’re troubleshooting a missed deadline.
At 10:00, you’re coaching someone toward a new skill.
And at 10:30, you’re in the thick of a sensitive topic that could change the mood for both of you.
As a manager, you have to pivot quickly—bringing energy when it’s needed, calm when it’s tense, and clarity when it’s murky.
The Practice That Pays Off
Those tough Monday conversations taught me the value of preparation. I learned to:
- Separate facts from emotions before walking in.
- Plan my opening line so I could set the right tone.
- Listen more than I spoke, especially when the topic was loaded.
- End with next steps so people left knowing where we stood.
And, just as important, I learned that practicing with another manager wasn’t overkill—it was leadership in action.
The Week Starts With You
Being a manager on a Monday isn’t about just “getting through” meetings. It’s about creating the kind of clarity and focus that will ripple through the entire week.
Some conversations will feel light. Others will feel heavy.
Some will go exactly as planned. Others will surprise you.
But each one is an opportunity to lead intentionally—and set your team up for a week where they can do their best work.
Because at the end of the day, Monday sets the tone. And the tone starts with you.