In a revealing interview with NPR, Jamie Dimon, the formidable CEO of JPMorgan Chase, disclosed a personal rule that is reshaping executive habits across corporate America: he steadfastly refuses to make any business decisions on Fridays. The veteran banker, with over four decades of experience on Wall Street, cautioned that fatigue can lead to costly errors, stating, 'Making big decisions on a Friday when you’re tired is a really bad idea.'
The Friday Rule: A Lesson Learned and Relearned
Dimon described this practice as one of several 'lessons learned and relearned' throughout his illustrious career. He admitted, 'I’ve learned some stuff like when I was 30, like anger doesn’t help,' and added, 'I still make some of those mistakes, unfortunately.' This insight comes from a leader who began his finance journey over 40 years ago as an assistant to then-American Express president Sandy Weill, eventually ascending to his current role in December 2005, making him the longest-tenured head of a major Wall Street bank.
A Growing Trend Among Top CEOs
Dimon is not alone in prioritising self-care to enhance decision-making. Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan keeps his calendar free of meetings every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoon. At the New York Times' DealBook Summit, Jordan emphasised, 'It’s easy to confuse busyness and going to meetings with leadership,' suggesting instead to use that time for 'thinking about what’s important right now.'
Similarly, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby incorporates a daily mid-afternoon nap into his routine, refusing to make decisions without one. Kirby explained, 'If I take a 20-minute nap, I’ve accomplished more than anything else I would have accomplished in that time. When you’re tired, your brain is not 100 percent. If you’re not 100 percent, you shouldn’t be making decisions.'
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has taken a different approach by banning 9am meetings from his calendar entirely, with the earliest meeting set at 10am. During an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Chesky noted, 'When you’re CEO you can decide when the first meeting of the day is.'
Contrast with Remote Work Policies
This focus on executive well-being contrasts sharply with Dimon's recent stance on remote work. Just days before his NPR interview, he doubled down on requiring employees to return to the office, arguing that time away from home is essential for the 'apprentice model' of banking. This decision, which affects JPMorgan Chase's 300,000 global staff, sparked backlash, with over 2,000 employees signing a petition in protest.
Some employees took to social media to express their outrage, with one Reddit user calling the move 'out of touch' and stating, 'This guy just pretends to care. Returning to office isn't going to fix the bag Chase is holding.' Another wrote, 'People need to be allowed to work from home. It reduces stress for those of us who have to go in person. It reduces pollution, it saves money for the people and the city on road repairs. I can’t stand idiots!'
The Financial Giant Behind the CEO
JPMorgan Chase stands as the largest financial institution in the United States, with over $4 trillion in assets under management. Last year, Dimon's compensation reached a staggering $770 million, according to disclosure documents, underscoring his influential role in the global economy. His leadership has been marked by both strategic acumen and controversial policies, blending personal wellness practices with firm corporate directives.
As more CEOs adopt similar self-care routines, the trend highlights a shift towards recognising that effective leadership requires not just hard work, but also mindful rest and reflection. Whether through avoiding Friday decisions, scheduling naps, or limiting early meetings, these executives are setting new standards for balancing productivity with personal health in high-pressure environments.
