Why It’s Never Just Another Monday Hit Home for Me
I recently finished reading It’s Never Just Another Monday by Carl S. Armato, and I can honestly say it was one of those books that surprised me in the best way. I went into it expecting a straightforward leadership book — maybe a few polished corporate anecdotes packaged up neatly for readers outside Novant Health. What I found instead was something more genuine: a collection of reflections that felt personal, human, and surprisingly practical.
Carl didn’t set out to be an author. He set out to communicate. Back in 2012, as the President and CEO of Novant Health, he realized that leading an organization with more than 26,000 team members across four states required more than strategy meetings and press releases. He needed to create a consistent rhythm of connection. So, he started a Monday morning blog called Carl’s Corner.
At the time, blogging wasn’t exactly a standard tool in the C-suite. He admits he wasn’t a “blogger,” but he wrote anyway. Every Monday, he shared a story, a reflection, or a lesson. And over time, those weekly posts became a cornerstone of how Novant built culture, shared values, and stayed connected across a sprawling health system.
This book is a collection of his best posts from 2012 through 2017, and while the format is simple, the lessons are rich.
The Power of Consistency
One of the first things that struck me as I read was the discipline Carl showed by writing every single Monday. Think about that: for more than five years, he kept up the cadence. Leadership isn’t always about the one big speech or the breakthrough strategy session. Often, it’s about showing up consistently, even when you don’t feel like you have something profound to say.
In one post, Carl talks about how Mondays aren’t “just another Monday.” They’re a chance to begin again, to bring clarity, and to set the tone. That landed for me. I’ll admit, too often I’ve treated Mondays as a grind — a day to power through emails and fight fires. Reading his perspective reframed it for me. Now, I see Mondays as an opportunity to reset expectations, re-engage with my team, and ask better questions.
Leadership Rooted in Humanity
What makes this book stand out is the humanity woven through every page. Carl doesn’t hide behind spreadsheets or corporate jargon. He talks about people — patients, nurses, administrators, trustees, even his own family.
One story that stuck with me was about a patient whose courage left a mark not just on the care team, but on Carl himself. Instead of presenting the story as a statistic or a “case study,” he shared it as a human moment — reminding readers that healthcare isn’t ultimately about numbers. It’s about people who need hope, healing, and dignity.
That theme comes up again and again. He writes about the long hours of team members, the difficult choices of trustees, and the responsibility of balancing finances with patient care. But every time, he ties it back to values and people.
As I read, I kept underlining sentences that felt like reminders: leadership is about presence, not perfection. Influence comes from empathy, not authority.
Lessons Beyond Healthcare
While this book is rooted in the healthcare world, it’s not just for healthcare leaders. I found myself drawing lessons I could apply immediately in my own work.
For example:
- Communication isn’t about volume, it’s about rhythm. Carl didn’t need to launch a PR campaign to reach his people. He built trust by writing a few hundred words every Monday and sticking with it. That’s a strategy any leader in any industry could adopt.
- Transparency builds trust. Some of the posts tackle tough topics — from financial pressures to politics. Instead of avoiding them, he leaned into them, always with honesty and optimism. That’s how you build credibility.
- Leadership is about connection, not control. Over and over, Carl models what it looks like to lead by connecting first, managing second.
Even though I don’t run a hospital, these lessons are universal. Whether you’re leading a startup, a marketing team, or even your own family, the principles apply.
What I Personally Took Away
As I closed the book, I realized it gave me three big takeaways I’m carrying forward:
- Never underestimate the impact of consistency. I’m rethinking how I communicate with my own teams and clients. Instead of waiting for the “big updates,” I’m focusing on creating regular, predictable touchpoints.
- Bring humanity into the work. It’s easy in marketing and business to let numbers drive the story. But people connect with stories, not spreadsheets. Carl’s example reminded me to center people in every narrative.
- Mondays are opportunities, not obstacles. I’ve already started to look at the start of each week differently. Instead of dreading the inbox, I’m asking myself: what’s the one message or focus that can set the tone for the people I lead?
Final Thoughts
It’s Never Just Another Monday isn’t a flashy book. It doesn’t need to be. It’s honest, steady, and real — much like the kind of leadership it models.
If you’re a healthcare professional, you’ll appreciate the inside look at the challenges and opportunities of leading in such a complex industry. But even if you’re outside of healthcare, you’ll find the lessons just as valuable. It’s about leadership, communication, and the human spirit — things that matter in every field.
For me, it was a great read. The kind of book you can keep on your desk, open on a Monday morning, and flip through for a quick reminder that leadership starts with showing up, speaking honestly, and staying connected.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — Highly recommended.
