The Monday Memo Tradition: A Leadership Lesson in Empathy
From Kitchen-Table Banter to Board-Room Insight
Every Sunday night for nearly two decades, my wife and I have entertained a quirky ritual. She’s an educator who needs a catchy title for her school’s Monday memo—something themed around the principal, mascot, or school spirit. I, demonstrating my trademark bedside manners, “forget” each time and pitch increasingly ridiculous options:
“Nevin’s Notes” (self-centered, she says).
“Jumpin’ Jordy Jaws ’bout Jym Class” (extra points for the double J’s—zero for spelling).
“The McKnight McNews” (alliteration gone rogue).
“Orca Echo” (instantly vetoed with the reminder that echoes don’t happen underwater).
After years of playful teasing, I decided to practice what I preach.
Welcome to “Weishaar’s Words of Wisdom-ish.”
The “ish” keeps me honest—just enough self-deprecation to remind everyone I’m kidding long before ego creeps in.
Three Leadership Lessons Hidden in a Household Joke
1. Shared Struggles Forge Stronger Bonds
What started as harmless fun evolved into a collaborative quest. We turned a chore—naming a memo—into a micro-team sport.
Leaders can replicate this by:
Co-creating labels for new processes or dashboards with frontline staff.
Turning routine problems into low-stakes brainstorming sessions.
Celebrating inside jokes that emerge, reinforcing team identity.
👉 Takeaway: When people laugh together, they collaborate better.
2. Humor Turns Mondays Into Momentum
Mondays carry the weight of unfinished work, fresh fires, and overflowing inboxes. A dash of humor—whether in a memo title or a team opener—can make challenges feel surmountable.
Micro-tactics that make a difference:
| Situation | Humorous Touch | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Team update email | Subject line: “Operation: Coffee First, KPIs Second” | Higher open rates (and smiles) |
| Weekly huddle | Rotate a “Dad joke of the week” slot | Eases tension, primes engagement |
| Performance review season | Rename the kickoff “Growth-Spurt Week” | Reframes feedback as opportunity |
🧠 Humor is not fluff—it’s a cost-free morale booster.
3. Empathy Begins by Standing in Their Shoes
I spent years poking fun at my wife’s memo-naming angst—until I penned one myself. Suddenly, her challenge made perfect sense: deadlines, tone, clarity.
Leadership in action:
Shadow an employee for half a shift.
Audit one of your own processes from start to finish.
You’ll gain empathy and practical improvement ideas.
How to Start Your Own “Monday Memo” Tradition
Choose a Format: Email, Slack post, or 90-second video.
Pick a Theme: Tie it to your company values, mascot, or an ongoing team joke.
Include These 3 Elements:
A quick win from last week
The biggest focus for the coming week
A dash of personality—quote, GIF, or micro-story
Invite Participation: Let teammates submit title ideas or puns. Rotate authors for shared ownership.
Stay Authentic: If humor isn’t your vibe, lean on storytelling or warmth. Connection beats comedy every time.
A Weekly Sign-Off That Sets the Tone
Whether you’re troubleshooting work orders or mapping strategy in the boardroom, remember:
“Weishaar’s Words of Wisdom-ish” exists to prove that leadership delivered with warmth, wit, and wisdom transforms culture.
So here’s to:
Your Monday memos
Your quirky rituals
And the collective chuckles that make the toughest weeks feel lighter
Wishing you wonder, wellness, and wins this week.
Your leadership is a worthy force. 🌟
About the Author
Kevin Weishaar helps multifamily and operational leaders align people, process, and performance for scalable growth. With over 20 years in property management and executive coaching, he turns everyday interactions into powerful culture-building tools.
