4 Right-Now Ways Leaders Should Celebrate with Their Team

Being grateful. Giving thanks. Creating moments of celebration. These are synonymous phrases to me, and they’re worth doing all year long!

To some leaders though, celebrating sounds kind of weak or wispy. Some have baggage from the past that makes it difficult to celebrate. Others are highly results/mission focused. To others, “it’s just not their cup of tea.” Some leaders say that some people will become lax and get less results if they celebrate. For many of us, the older we get the less likely we want to celebrate. Life and work can become heavy, and celebrating does not seem valuable or important.

?

This coaching clip expands on this idea. Please watch, and then continue reading the blog below –

?

I repeatedly coach leaders that they need to reflect. It’s so important to take time to pause and consider the health of your organization and how to make it healthier and more productive. Regardless of the reasons, celebration should be an ongoing consideration.

?

"Celebration is very important because it provides recognition, lifts morale and raises energy, reduces stress, and builds esprit de corps, cohesion and teamwork." [Tweet This]

?

It’s also logical in that you are clarifying and taking responsibility to publicly praise progress and accomplishing goals.

?

How Celebration Fits in the Model

Over the last few months, we have been working through the Courageous Accountability Model that was introduced in the leadership book Engage with Honor: Building a Culture of Courageous Accountability. Today we will highlight the last step in the model Closeout – Celebrate (or Confront) and Critique.

Successful Celebration Tips

Try these tips for more intentional celebrations as a leader:

?

1. Plan your steps. Be clear about what you are celebrating and how you will affirm achievements.
2. Be Enthusiastic in your demeanor. It’s been said that communication is 20 percent verbal and 80 percent non-verbal, so your energy, tone and body language are going to be very important in the success of your celebration. A big smile, high fives, and genuine words of affirmation communicate positive emotions that will not only inspire others for the event but give them more energy for the next challenge.
3. Be fair and consistent. Great leaders help people become successful, and that means recognizing individual differences and providing affirmation of their unique contribution.
4. Celebrate team successes as a team. The joy of victory lifts spirits and provides a great time to enhance connection and build camaraderie.

?

And remember, if organizing fun is “not your thing”, no problem—just delegate it and manage it like any other project. Every team has some people who have a passion and talent for bringing people together to celebrate.

?

When Confrontation Needs to Happen

On the other hand, sometimes closing out will involve confrontation instead of celebration. I believe that you must have a mindset that recognizes confrontation as being both the right thing to do and in the long run, the kind thing to do. When I reflect on my life and career, I admire those leaders who confronted me (in a firm but respectful way) for not performing or not being responsible. They helped me grow to be a better performer and person.

Most leaders struggle with confrontation. I think the most important piece of confronting is to have a positive approach and believe in the long-term results. Like my past leaders, we must have a mindset that recognizes confrontation as being both the right thing and the kind thing to do.

?

Critique the Process

Fighter pilots debrief and critique every mission, and honorable leaders learn to debrief and critique every project. It’s important for the leadership team to identify what went well and what can be improved in the next project. It’s best if the leader can go first in sharing what he/she could have done better (This is why it’s so important for leaders to be very confident, humble and vulnerable).

Remember, the critique/debrief is not about discussing accountability—that’s done in private— this is about learning together as a team how to grow and be more successful in the future.

?

Remember to Celebrate

So, as we close out this series of blogs on the Courageous Accountability Model, I hope you will choose to integrate celebration into your daily work and leadership as a self-coaching exercise.

Remember, great leaders are great because they strongly believe in themselves, but they are also humble and coach themselves to continue to grow and improve. Please take some time to celebrate this month.

LE [Tweet this Article]

?

Thank You Gifts for Your Favorite People - Save Up to 30%?

Purchase Your Copies on Amazon