How A Culture of Celebration Can Transform Your Team

I’ve seen it at hundreds of corporate Christmas parties, sales retreats and other banquets I’ve performed at over the years. Staff members called up to be recognized for their years of service or another award. Winners get a handshake, a photo and a little glass trophy. Sadly, these annual or semi-annual functions are often the only time the organization celebrates work well done.

Companies should be creating a culture of celebration that is woven into the fabric of their workplace. Celebration will transform your team into a more energized, productive and unified group. Your people will push harder, do more and handle disappointment better within a culture of celebration. In this post I’ll show you why celebration is such a powerful element of great teamwork and list 5 real benefits of celebration in the workplace.

Rock, Paper, Celebrate!

One of my favorite exercises for demonstrating the benefits of celebration in the workplace is Rock Paper Scissors Entourage, or RPS Entourage for short. It’s fast-paced, loud and SO MUCH FUN.

I break the entire group into pairs. When I say “GO!” everyone does one round of Rock Paper Scissors. Whoever wins puts their hand up and shouts, “Winner!” Whoever loses immediately becomes a part of their former opponent’s entourage and cheers them on loudly in future battles.

The game moves quickly. Winners find each other and battle again. Losers AND their entire entourage are now cheering for the player who just beat them. The game culminates when there are only two opponents left, each with half of the room cheering them on wildly.

You would not believe the energy in the room, rising to a crescendo in the final battle. It’s incredible. When we debrief I ask why everyone was so invested in a simple game of Rock Paper Scissors. I get answers like:

“It was just really fun to be cheering with other people for your team.”

“More is at stake with every battle. The pressure is intense, but it feels so cool to have everyone cheering for you.”

“When I won (the final battle) I felt like I had won the lottery. It felt amazing.”

Consider that last statement, offered by the gentleman who won the game in a recent workshop I taught. He and the other finalist were at the front of the room surrounded by their loud, cheering entourages. The players were cracking their necks and shaking out their arms in preparation for the final battle. When he won his team erupted in jubilation and high-fives while he bellowed a victory cry with his arms raised. It was hilarious.

I asked the winner if he acts like this every time he plays Rock Paper Scissors. He chuckled and said, “No”.

What was the difference? Why did winning RPS Entourage feel like winning the lottery for this young man? The difference, we discovered, was in the entourage. It was in the momentum and energy created by the people cheering him on. It’s human nature to push a little harder when we know someone is rooting for us and counting on us. The celebration itself created a new level of focus, intensity and fun.

Have you introduced a culture of celebration to your team?

Here are 5 Real Benefits of Celebration in the workplace

1. Your team will have more fun.

Your staff will simply enjoy their work more when they see you looking for and celebrating wins. Don’t wait for the really big wins; celebrate the small wins, too. Weave a thread of celebration into the workplace and you’ll see a boost in morale and productivity.

2. Your team will risk more and do more.

Risk is scary. Presenting a big idea or pushing past their comfort zone can be stressful and intimidating for your team. It can also be exhilarating. A culture of celebration motivates your team to risk more. The fear of failing is replaced by a greater desire to win.

3. Your team will be more open to criticism.

Healthy criticism is one of the ways we improve our work and move toward excellence. On the other hand, nothing will stunt your team’s growth more than unhealthy or constant criticism.

When you create a culture of celebration you do not lose your right to challenge ideas and reprimand poor work. I would argue that you have more opportunity to challenge your staff when they trust you to also celebrate their wins.

4. Your team is better equipped to deal with disappointment and failure.

Remember the RPS Entourage exercise? With every battle half the people lose until there is only one winner in a room full of losers.

So why is everyone in such a great mood? It’s a question I ask in every exercise. “Why are you all so happy? Most of you lost!”

One woman said in a recent workshop, “My personal failure seemed insignificant in the scope of becoming part of the winning team. I got over my own loss very quickly because I immediately had an opportunity to turn around and cheer for my team.”

A culture of celebration softens the blow of disappointment and failure. Celebrating often keeps winning fresh in our mind.

5. Your team will begin to celebrate each other.

As leaders our behavior is duplicated, for better or worse. Become a leader who creates a culture of celebration and your team will join you. You’ll begin to see them encouraging and celebrating one another. It’s a wonderful thing.

 

Create A Culture of Celebration

Become a leader who hunts for reasons to celebrate and quickly gives recognition to your team. It does not have to be big or costly or over the top. It can simply be voicing how much you appreciate an individual’s work. Do that often. Make it a part of your daily ritual. Get your coffee, check your email, go tell someone they are doing a great job.

There is so much to celebrate in every organization if you commit to look for it. As a leader, develop a culture of celebration and you will create a culture of energy, productivity and momentum.

Now let’s help each other out with a little celebration brainstorming. In the comments below, what are some simple ways you can think of to celebrate your team?