Five Tips to Celebrate Your Team
At treetree we like to celebrate our team's accomplishments and the individual contributions that get us there. We have a general attitude that follows the lyrics to Bing Crosby's song:
You've got to accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mister In-Between
You've got to spread joy up to the maximum
Bring gloom down to the minimum
Have faith or pandemonium
Liable to walk upon the scene
When it's time to show the team inside or the fans outside what's been worthy of pom-poms at the treehouse, here are five points we consider when deciding how to celebrate.
1. We make it specific.
Some of the most memorable compliments are incredibly specific. They are full of adjectives and just the right number of adverbs. They end with an exclamation point or two where it makes sense. The same goes for celebrations: when we have a team member to celebrate, we make sure to be specific about what they do, how they do it and why it helps us move the needle as a company. We call out their very specific actions, behaviors or attitudes -- even the small things that might be easy to overlook -- and it matters.
We are known to have a conversation between some trees beforehand to make sure we articulate the points we want to make and do it with the language and enthusiasm that is necessary. When you're more prepared, you're more emotive. And when it comes to celebrations, emotion is key.
We write it down -- all the time. Gratitude is a practice at treetree and we have handwritten notes of thanks and praise circulating all the time. Each of us has a "Smile File" to keep these words handy on days where you need some more encouragement. And they are full!
2. We make it tangible.
Whenever we can, we hand over a physical representation that's symbolic of the achievement. I'm not talking about trophies or elaborate awards made of bronze, I mean SOMETHING to hand over and make contact with. It does not need to be expensive or over-the-top. Sometimes, the simpler the better.
When announcing promotions, we had new business cards with their new titles ready to distribute.
We announced hiring a long-anticipated team member whose initials are MM and had packs of M&Ms sitting around the table for the whole team to enjoy.
We hand out glass stones that are imprinted with a special "inside message" logo to show appreciation and celebration of acts that model our mission.
3. We make it timely.
There is no better time than NOW to pull out all the stops or just some of them when there's something to celebrate.
The first year we found out we were on the INC5000 list (#506!) we called an emergency meeting at the still-under-construction office building down the way and had an impromptu champagne toast (in plastic cups we bought on the fly). The thrill of the spontaneity and the rush of being pulled out of meetings to participate is still talked about more than two years later.
We surprised a portion of our team who had pulled off an amazing amount of work under a stressful deadline by having the whole agency approach them at the same time and give a standing ovation as soon as they walked in the door.
When we win a new piece of business or get over-the-top great news, we have a big dinner bell we ring and the trees come running to hear. As long as no one is on the phone -- as soon as we get word, we give word -- and update with as much information as we have at the time, even if it's not "perfect" -- it's more important that it's spread fast.
4. We make it creative.
If you want to make it an event to remember, get your creative juices going. Is there a prop that would help you emphasize a key point? Is there something creative you could do with the timing or lead-in? Is there creativity in WHO helps you celebrate or leads the celebration itself?
When the team celebrated my return from maternity leave, they surprised me with a choreographed conference room table chair dance that was SO FUN. They took over the meeting and had great creativity to say, "welcome back!" Watch the video here.
https://www.facebook.com/treetreeagency/videos/vb.120092854056/10154423139584057/?type=2&theaterWhen we were celebrating that our team members were taking board and executive-level positions in our local industry associations, we passed out tiaras and sashes and made a big deal about their involvement with some creative props.
5. We make it sincere.
We are known to show emotion when it happens. Our words are genuine and the delivery is heartfelt. And when it hits us in a way that means we have some happy tears or big hugs, we're okay with that.
How do you celebrate your team? What's the most memorable team celebration you've been a part of?