Reinforcing Celebration: The Key to a Thriving Remote Culture

Hint: This cannot be overdone!

In every period of time, human beings love celebration and recognition. In a time like this, especially in a remote workforce setting, recognizing wins and progress matters more than ever for engagement and morale.

What Should You Celebrate?

When thinking about what to celebrate, don’t just focus on the final results.

• Winning, of course:

• Securing a new account.
• Successfully completing a big project.
• Progress is just as vital:

• Celebrating progress is not the same as a “participation trophy!”
• Achieving progress along the way is worthy of celebration and a great opportunity to say, “Well done!”
• Analogy: Think of a football game. The goal is to win, but achieving a first down is also worthy of high fives. Don’t miss these opportunities for incremental recognition.

How to Celebrate Effectively: Personalization is Key

The method of celebration must be thoughtful, varied, and, most importantly, personalized. One size does not fit all.

1. Make it Personalized

• Some team members love the limelight (public recognition).
• Others may hate public attention and only want a private “thanks.”
• Be thoughtful and creative—don’t use the same method every time. Mix in variety!

2. Creative Celebration Methods

• Public Announcements: “Shout outs” or big company-wide announcements.
• Video Recognition: Internal short videos (using technology like Loom).
• Tangible & Personal: Handwritten cards.
• Digital: Online cards (see Jacquie Lawson for some great ideas).
• Perks: Food, catered lunches (where appropriate), or time off.

🌟 Making Celebration a Core Cultural Value

Recognition must be authentic and ingrained. If celebration is merely programmatic and mechanical, it will be a waste of effort.

• It has to be cultural: Celebration must be a part of how all of us view work and choose to work together.
• The Goal: Imagine a genuine, reinforcing culture of celebration where recognition is a natural and consistent component of the workday.