Many leaders feel reticent about celebrating their team’s successes. Some feel too busy, and others think it seems too much like “bragging.” But as Bobbie LaPorte explains in her September 5 “Calling the Game” video, celebrating and sharing successes is a powerful way to lift up everyone around you AND build momentum for continued growth.
Fostering Resilience and Team Morale Through Celebrating Work Achievements
Hi, this is Bobbie LaPorte, back with another week of “Calling the Game,” where I share my own experience and insights while giving you valuable tools you can use to call your own game…and plan the best moves for you and your team.
One of the more concerning constants I see with clients is a reticence to actively celebrate successes in their work.
Why is this?
Well, there are a few reasons I’ve heard: you are too busy moving from one issue to another, and you just don’t have the time (or maybe the energy) to do it, or it feels too much like bragging (Note: there is definitely an element of self-promotion in your job that you need to get comfortable with); or maybe you’re in one of those companies where people are incessantly celebrated for just “showing up,” not for outcomes.
Why do I keep harping on the importance of celebrating successes?
Because we are leading in an environment of unrelenting change and uncertainty, our brains don’t like uncertainty; we react with fear, anxiety, and retrenchment at a time when, more than ever, we need to keep our teams engaged and help lift up others in the organization. And celebrating successes activates brain-healthy, positive emotions and builds hope and optimism.
Two Action Tips
Here are two actions to consider to make this a more regular and intentional practice:
- At the end of each week, take time to inventory and note three successes – they can be small or significant- that you/your team accomplished during the week. Note: They should demonstrate results, not just activity. This practice gives you perspective on your work and appreciation for the progress that is being made, and importantly – content that you can share with others to spread the word.
- Then, intentionally share these successes with others as the opportunities come up – 1:1 with your team members, in team meetings, and with other people in the organization. These small moments of acknowledgment and appreciation turn out to be not so small: in times like these, when we often feel like we are slogging from one day to the next and barely making progress, they buoy everyone and create much-needed momentum.
This practice doesn’t have to be difficult, just intentional. Give it a try at the end of this week: you might be pleasantly surprised at the impact you can have.
OK, that’s it for this week’s “Calling the Game.” Hope this helps you gear up for a great week and navigate any curveballs that may come your way!