The Communication Code

4Why Celebrating Works

“Celebration is a human need that will never go away. We need it now more than ever.”

—Rita Moreno

Celebration is vital to the success of people and teams. It is desired and loathed simultaneously, a crucial part of the Communication Code. If you miss it, it can cause unnecessary drama.

Many people view celebrations as frivolous or not needed. They may believe that celebrations waste time and resources and detract from more important things. Employees can feel a lack of appreciation, which leads to team culture issues. We have seen this firsthand over the past decade.

The value of celebration can be misunderstood because it is often associated with external rewards, such as trophies or promotions. While these can be important, a celebration is not just about external recognition. It is also about recognizing and appreciating one's accomplishments and those of others and creating a sense of joy and fulfillment, which builds a solid cultural foundation.

A study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that teams celebrating their successes experience higher levels of job satisfaction, commitment, and shared identity among team members. The researchers suggest that celebrating successes helps reinforce positive behaviors and attitudes, increasing motivation and productivity. Additionally, celebrating successes can create community and teamwork, promoting a positive work environment.¹

The need to celebrate is even more critical with the constant ...