Prioritizing People – Boosting Workplace Morale

September 19, 2024

The Power of Celebrating Small Wins

By Lisa Ryan

Let’s dive into a topic that might surprise you a bit: celebrating at work. You might think, “Work is for, well, work, right?” But here’s a fun fact: throwing in a little celebration here and there can make the work we do even better. It’s like adding a sprinkle of magic to the daily grind.

Why Bother Celebrating?

Imagine work without a single high five, smile or “good job.” It can get pretty boring and tough, like eating plain oatmeal every day. But when we celebrate the little wins, it’s like adding pecans and bananas (my favorite) to that oatmeal. Suddenly, everything’s more flavorful, and we have more energy to tackle what’s next.

Celebrating makes everyone feel seen and important. It’s like when you help someone, and they look you in the eye and say “Thank you.” It makes you feel better, doesn’t it? That’s the feeling we’re going for.

The How-to Guide for Workplace Celebrations

1. Speak Up: When someone does something awesome, shout it from the rooftops! Well, maybe not literally, but do share it in an email or at your next meeting. Everyone’s different – some might love a public shout out, while others might prefer a quiet thank you. The goal? Make sure everyone knows about the cool stuff happening around them.

2. Personal Touch: Keep your eyes peeled for what lights up your colleagues. Do they love chocolate? Are they crazy about baseball? Use these tidbits to make your thank yous and great jobs really hit home. You can also do an “All About Me” survey, so you know exactly how to personalize recognition in the workplace. Just like picking out the perfect birthday gift – it shows you care.

3. Everyone Gets a Turn: Encourage your whole team to acknowledge each other. It’s not just about getting a gold star from the boss. When a work buddy recognizes your hard work, it’s a whole different kind of awesome.

But Does It Work?

You bet it does. Throwing in those moments of celebration keeps everyone pumped and ready to go the extra mile. And it’s not about big, fancy parties all the time. The little moments, the everyday “yay” and pats on the back build up to make a big difference.

This isn’t just fluff – experts agree. Over at the Harvard Business Review, Whitney Johnson talks about how we often for- get to celebrate because we’re so focused on the next big thing. But stopping to cheer on a job well done is like laying down a stepping stone to even more awesomeness. It makes those lessons stick and brings everyone closer together.

Johnson uses an idea called the S Curve to show how we grow. At the start, things are slow, and every little win is a big deal. Midway, we’re rocking and rolling, making leaps and bounds. And at the top? That’s when we need a new challenge. Celebrating all along that curve keeps us moving and shaking.

Frayda Leibtag from Forbes found that sharing wins at work isn’t about bragging. It’s about creating a vibe where everyone feels like part of the team and where every little victory gets a high five. It turns out that when people feel appreciated, they’re ready to give their all. That’s not just nice – it’s smart business.

So, What’s the Big Deal?

Here’s the thing: celebrating at work is a game-changer. It makes the day-to-day more fun and keeps everyone motivated. Whether a big or a small victory, taking a moment to cheer each other on makes a world of difference.

It’s not just about feeling good. It’s about doing better work, building a team that sticks together and tackling every new challenge with a smile. Ultimately, it’s simple: celebrating at work is like adding a secret ingredient to your team’s recipe for success. It brings out the best in everyone, making every day a little brighter and every goal closer. What will you do to celebrate the wins at your workplace today?

About the Author

Lisa Ryan, CSP, is Founder and Chief Appreciation Strategist at Grategy. She helps organizations keep their top talent from becoming someone else’s. To learn more, please visit: LisaRyanSpeaks.com