As we continue to unlock and lock down yet again around the world, the topic of celebration may - for some - hold little appeal at the moment.
And yet despite all of the loss, fear, grief, monotony, anger, frustration and disappointment of the past 12, 18, 21 months, celebration has been the topic of discussion for my clients in recent weeks.
As the end of the calendar year approaches, so does an opportunity to reflect on what we’ve achieved, in spite of it all.
For our professional lives, for our clients, for our teams and for ourselves, we should celebrate that we’ve made it through 2021. We’re still here. Still standing - or at least still staggering - to fight another day. Out of the woods? No, not yet. Wish we were? Yes, like you wouldn’t believe.
Joy has been in short supply; normality continues to be suspended and the future remains uncertain.
Do we organize a team meet in person or not? Can we face another virtual drinks on Zoom? And does anyone feel remotely festive anyway?
Celebration amidst confusion, chaos and crisis can seem jarring.
And yet……
Leadership is about connection, fellowship and even love.
Leaders who ‘reach’ their teams, inspire loyalty beyond reason and who bring out the very best in others are those who make the time to notice and celebrate individual strengths. To pay attention to that which makes others tick. To marvel at individual brilliance and who make it their business to make sure others know it.
My view is simply this: your teams don’t need a naff ‘Secret Santa’ gift, or a trite ‘copy and paste’ email which was pretty much the same one they received last year and the year before that. What they need is something far more meaningful and far longer lasting, wrapped up in a completely unexpected, utterly delightful and from the heart commentary that celebrates them for the good they’ve done for you, the team, your clients and the business this year.
That’s always worth knowing and it’s definitely worth celebrating.
In the meantime, here’s to a better 2022 for us all……
