LEADERSHIP: Celebrating Success: No Business Case Needed

"Celebrate success" - a phrase frequently adorned on company values, reverberated in town halls, and often noted by leaders. Yet, it is often not practiced as much as it is preached. As both a leader and an individual contributor, I've begun to recognize I have not celebrated success as much as I should have throughout my career – whether in acknowledging the accomplishments of my team or recognizing my own. Recently, I've reflected on why this is the case:

Internal Factors - You and I

The act of celebrating success doesn't come naturally to many, myself included. Modesty and the apprehension of appearing boastful or facing critical judgement can contribute to a hesitancy in openly acknowledging achievements.

External Factors - Everyone Else

From macroeconomic volatility to company culture and individual leaders, these all contribute to shaping an environment either supportive or resistant to celebrating success. For example, the fear of layoffs or significant role changes, or unrealistic expectations set by company goals or leaders.

🌞 Fostering a celebratory culture 🌞

👁️‍🗨️ Be Present - Focus on the present moment; don't let future uncertainties or anxiety dampen today's successes.

🌱 Celebrate the Small Things - Do not dismiss small victories; they collectively lead to longer-term significant achievements.

🚫 Don't downplay it -  Do not downplay genuine success, especially someone else's!

🌍 Celebrate Together - Share the celebration with your team; it fosters a positive and collaborative culture and creates a safe environment for others to do the same.

😊 Express Gratitude - Thank those who contributed to the success; a simple thank you and show of recognition goes a very long way.

🤔 No business case required - Success comes in all shapes and sizes, avoid creating barriers to recognition by refraining from automatically associating every success with monetary or metric-based outcomes.

🤔 Leadership Ownership - Leaders must remove any aversion to celebrating success, if like me it doesn't come as naturally as you would like refer to point one

On to practicing what I preach!

Photo: Celebrating an Arsenal win with my nephew (middle) and brother (right)