BANISHING the Monday morning blues is the mission of Liss author James Raath.

The 62-year-old, who has coped with workplace misery and serious health issues, is now evangelical about enabling people to fulfil their potential.

For James, it is all about the power of the individual.

Employees need to be emboldened to make a unique contribution tailored to their talents. And employers need to recognise the potency and possibilities offered by the people they manage.

“Being liberated at work means each person is able to say, ‘there is something unique about me and my contribution,” explained James, whose book on the subject – Love Mondays – has just been published.

This was borne out of his frustrating experience working in a sales job he loathed, in an industry he didn’t believe in. He felt he was just a cog in the wheel, with his spirit crushed. Mondays were not to be loved then.

After much soul searching he set up his own business Commercial Impact, developing training materials that would help other businesses to learn from the philosophies he had fine-tuned.

He now goes into banks, insurance companies and other organisations to inspire confidence among the workers, and change.

He focuses on the drastic impact a single person can have on a company if he or she is properly supported by a culture that values them.

He spent many years researching and writing the book, but sometimes even producing a few lines almost defeated him.

When he suddenly developed Meniere’s disease at the age of 50, he was left with only 10 per cent hearing, constant tinnitus and acute vertigo.

It was often a struggle to get out of bed over a five year period. With his health improved, he is keen to pass his message on.

“Instead of having the job dictated to you, you can begin to add your shape to the job.”