If you want to score you must celebrate successes

Is this it? That question prevails after going live with a brand new website. We worked very hard on this with several Agile teams for months. By trial and error. Every team member pushed boundaries in the process, everyone went to the extreme. And yet when we crossed the “finish line”: an anticlimax. As if the world just goes on without stopping for a moment to recognize what we have just accomplished. We should be able to do that differently.

I have learned as a trainer and coach that the power of celebrating successes goes much deeper than the moment itself. It is not only the satisfaction of completing a task, but it is also the recognition, the reflection, and the moment of coming together. In this blog, I’ll tell you more about that and give concrete tips; because how do you actually celebrate success? Is that just popping champagne? Of course, I’m also happy to tell you all about it in person. Feel free to send me an email.

What celebrating really means

When I was just starting with Agile teams, I thought celebrating success was only about the end result. I was wrong. Instead, celebrating is about the whole process, the journey. Every success story has its ups and downs and obstacles overcome. Celebrating them helps us appreciate that whole journey. And remember it.
Celebrating is also about the team. A team that works together, breaks through challenges and achieves a common goal should seize the momentum to realize what they have endured together. It creates a bond, strengthens trust and encourages them to face future challenges with confidence as well.

Why is celebrating successes important?

Recognition: Acknowledging one’s hard work and dedication is crucial. This builds self-confidence and enhances an individual’s self-esteem.
Motivation: Celebrating successes acts as an incentive for further achievements. It reminds people that their efforts are paying off.
Team dynamics: Celebrating successes fosters a sense of unity and camaraderie within a team. This helps build strong team relationships.
Work culture: Regularly celebrating victories helps create a positive atmosphere that makes people feel more engaged and satisfied with their work.

How can you really celebrate successes?

Personal recognition: Take the time to personally acknowledge an individual achievement. A personal message or conversation can go a long way.
Team celebrations: Organize a team outing or lunch to celebrate shared successes. This not only strengthens team bonding, but also provides a chance to relax.
Visible recognition: Use bulletin boards, newsletters or team meetings to highlight accomplishments.
Feedback: Provide detailedfeedback on what was good about the performance. This gives the individual or team a clear understanding of their strengths.
Invest in growth: Consider offering additional training or courses as a reward for excellence. This shows that you are investing in the growth of your team.

Premature celebration is also allowed

Recently, I was working with my team on a particularly challenging project. Deadlines were pushed back, technical challenges loomed out of nowhere, and the pressure was high. But my team was resilient. We kept communicating, solving problems and supporting each other. Even before the project was successfully completed, therefore, I organized a small party. We couldn’t celebrate the go live yet, but we could honor each team member for their dedication and hard work. Smiling faces, beautiful anecdotes, compliments and yes: there was champagne too. And that going live was coming, of course, because with the boost from the early party, everyone could definitely give that final push.

Don’t just let it pass by

Pop the cork of the bottle. In this fast-paced world, it’s tempting to jump straight to the next project. But I have learned that stopping for a moment, seizing the moment and sincerely celebrating success is essential. Not as an obligatory moment, but deliberate.

So the next time you reach a milestone, big or small, take a moment. Take a deep breath, look back on the journey, celebrate with your team and raise your glass. Because success is more than just the end goal, it’s the journey that leads to it. Cheers!