Finally. It’s 7:00 p.m. and the entire team has worked since 7:00 a.m. to put the final touches on the project you have all been working on for the past month. And it is done. On time. What a relief! It has been a difficult job with many roadblocks but somehow, when push came to shove, you and your team found a way to get it done.
Congratulations!
Now here is the critical question: What will you do next?
Unfortunately, for most of us in this deadline-driven, goal-focused, understaffed and overworked world, the answer is an automatic “Well, I’ll move on to the next project that is behind schedule and off track – as soon as I get a good night’s sleep.”
STOP!!! TIME OUT!!!
You have just ignored a major opportunity to increase your productivity and effectiveness, boost your morale and everyone else’s, and enhance your chances for a promotion, a bonus, or a nice raise when the time comes. You need to celebrate your success!
The celebration of success is becoming an endangered activity as today’s workforce is under more pressure to do more with less. There is less money to spend on recognition and less time to allow for parties, retreats, or time off. But that doesn’t mean we can eliminate celebration from our work cycle. It serves a critical role in the ongoing success of a work team by providing:
• Personal satisfaction
• Enhanced team pride
• Lessons for the future
• Documentation
Personal Satisfaction
Our own morale requires a boost in order to keep going. Taking the time to thank those who contributed to the success of a project provides a sense of satisfaction that one’s efforts have been noticed and recognized. It serves to re-fuel our energy and ensure that we will work together well in the future.
Enhanced Team Pride
A team with a record of success approaches its next project with an enhanced spirit of drive and a conviction of its ability to achieve and exceed its goals. However, success is not success unless it is celebrated as such. Without a celebration, the act of achieving a goal, reaching a deadline, or overcoming an insurmountable obstacle is perceived as “just doing my job.”
Lessons for the Future
An effective celebration should include an analysis of the success. Why did we pull this off? What did we do to make it happen? What specific actions, decisions, interactions, or changes made the difference? This discussion will almost always uncover a few things we SHOULDN’T do again – mistakes we made, wrong turns we took, etc. These too should be acknowledged and recorded, but remember to focus on what went right. Recognizing what worked will help a team repeat its success in the future.
Documentation
It’s kind of like the tree falling in the forest: If a team succeeds and the boss doesn’t know it, was it really a success? It’s important to document any success “for the record.” Be sure employee files are noted, supervisors are informed, and next-level managers hear about the details of the success and the names of those involved. This can even be a very effective part of the celebration itself.
Celebrating on a Shoestring
So how can you celebrate when you have no money and little time? First, by keeping your focus on the four objectives described above: personal satisfaction, enhanced team pride, lessons for the future, and documentation. None of these elements REQUIRE money, and they can be accomplished in a very short time frame. Second, by believing that the time spent in celebration will reap a reward far beyond the hour or two involved. Third, by building celebration into every team plan.
As for specific ideas, here is a short list:
• Hold a celebration meeting (with food, of course) and invite the boss.
• Debrief the group by making a list of “How we did it.”
• Give a hand-written thank you to each team member.
• Send an email to senior management, detailing the success and the individuals involved, and send a copy to the team.
• Make a poster with details of the success. Hang it where team members AND non-team members can see it.
• Post blue ribbons, gold stars, or helium balloons at team members’ workspaces.
Do not discount silly, inexpensive rewards, even for the most highly educated, professional team. Recognition matters. The team knows the financial situation, and if you are sincere, any sign of appreciation means a great deal. A great resource for many more ideas is the book 1001 Ways to Reward Employees by Bob Nelson. However, you will find that once you build celebration into your routine, you and your team will be the best resources for creative ways to celebrate each new success.
So go ahead and get that good night’s sleep, but the first item on your plan for tomorrow is CELEBRATION!
Special THANKS to Karen Morey, my partner, mentor and coach for reminding us of this important lesson in the cycle of productivity.
For information on how the Best Year Yet Program helps individuals, Teams and Organizations achieve success, email donna.king@bestyearyet.com.
Interested in self-coaching ONLINE Success program? Click here
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