Edition #6: Celebrating Team Wins with Awesomeness Meetings

This week’s edition is for team leaders. But keep reading even if you’re not leading a team because you might have just found a winning way to boost your job satisfaction.

I’m excited to share a meeting format that has transformed team dynamics and morale everywhere I’ve introduced it. I call it the Awesomeness Meeting. It’s a simple, fun way to keep teams feeling connected, celebrated, and aware of each other’s achievements.

What’s an Awesomeness Meeting?

This is not your average update or reporting meeting (snore). In an Awesomeness Meeting, the team gathers monthly for 30 minutes to share their wins, big and small, across all departments. We highlight everything from completed projects and marketing achievements to welcoming new hires. Each person has the chance to share what they’re proud of in a relaxed setting focused purely on positivity and progress.

How I Created This Format

I initially started out by creating a Google Sheet just for my reference so that I could keep track of things that were going on within the company. It was my reference list for marketing-related communication, where I got inspired for what to include in the company newsletter, and where I kept notes for external communications. I soon realised how valuable a document it was to keep the rest of my team updated on progress.

I developed this approach independently through trial and error, finding that a focus on positive updates is a great way to boost morale. I've since found out that many companies (especially in tech or startup cultures) use similar meetings, sometimes called Wins Meetings or Show and Tell sessions, to build connection and appreciation across teams. By focusing on positive framing, this kind of meeting helps teams feel motivated and recognised without the usual pressures of formal reporting.

Why This Works So Well

Awesomeness Meetings create a place to highlight individual contributions and team milestones that might otherwise go unnoticed. Here’s why I believe they’re so powerful:

• Promotes Team Morale: Everyone gets a moment to celebrate their hard work. This creates a positive atmosphere and builds trust and respect.
• Bridges Departmental Gaps: In remote setups or larger organisations, teams do not always see wins outside their projects. These meetings help everyone feel connected and sometimes lead to cross-team collaborations.
• Effortless Progress Tracking: With updates recorded in a shared Google sheet, we have a monthly record of achievements. It also makes for a handy year-end review resource.
• Encourages Healthy Competition: Team members are inspired to share wins and showcase achievements. This can motivate everyone to bring their best.

Why It Became My Boss’s Favourite Meeting

One of the best endorsements came from my boss. Every month, he looked forward to it and called it his “favourite meeting.” For him, it was a chance to see what the team was working on without needing to direct the meeting or dive into strategy. Instead, he could sit back, hear each update, and appreciate the team’s hard work. This relaxed format gave him a valuable view of the company’s progress without getting into details. For him and many others, it became a refreshing and inspiring pause in a busy schedule.

Best Practices for a Positive Experience

To get the best out of Awesomeness Meetings, I recommend the following tips to ensure a positive experience for everyone:

• Best for Smaller Teams: Works well for small groups. Larger teams may need tweaks to keep it efficient.
• Not for Everyone: Some may feel less comfortable with this style. Clarify that it is about celebration, not reporting.
• Pressure to Perform: Healthy competition is motivating, but be sure it does not add pressure. Remind everyone it’s for celebrating wins.
• Uneven Department Updates: Some teams have more frequent updates, which can overshadow others. Emphasise that all contributions matter.
• Workflow Disruption: Those in task-focused roles may find it disruptive, especially if updates feel routine.

Lessons Learned

Awesomeness Meetings work best in smaller, collaborative teams. For groups larger than 15, it can become lengthy and less efficient. Not everyone will respond positively to this format, depending on their personality or work style. I always introduce new team members to the purpose of Awesomeness Meetings as part of onboarding. Setting clear expectations helps everyone understand that it is a time to celebrate, not report, so everyone can benefit.

Would You Try It?

If you’re leading a small team, try the Awesomeness Meeting and see the difference it makes. Or, if you’re in a team and like the sound of it, suggest it to your leader. It’s a minimum time investment that pays off in stronger team cohesion, higher morale, and a more supportive workplace culture. Give it a try and let me know how it goes.

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Until next time,

Claire