Unleashing Your Remarkable Potential
Issue 6.40 - October 5, 2009 ISSN: 15516571

In Kevin's Own Words

A Leadership Primer on Celebrations

In talking with leaders over the years, I've noticed that most seem to struggle with celebrations.

Some struggle with when to celebrate. Some struggle with why they should. And some don't have a struggle because they don't celebrate at all. (Here the struggle is for those they lead!)

Unlike many other leadership topics, there doesn't seem to be much of a consensus on the topic. People range from one end of the spectrum to the other - from we don't need a reason to celebrate to we don't have time to celebrate.

This article is meant to address some of the questions and challenges, and perhaps provide some balance to the discussion.

Why We Should Celebrate

Celebrations in general (forget about the workplace for a minute) typically are organized to recognize, reward, rejuvenate, relax and/or to have some real fun. Because we are human beings at work, we need to remember that all of these reasons have validity on the job too.

You've heard the old axiom that says people spend more time at work than they do with their families? Guess what, unless you work with your family, it's true.

So, if celebration is at some level a human need, why wouldn't we incorporate that into work?

Too new-agey or humanistic for you? Let me be more bottom-line for you:

Properly done, celebrations will improve morale, improve productivity, reduce stress, reduce turnover and improve Customer Service.

If you are in the "we don't need to celebrate" camp, any one of these should be reason enough to reconsider. Taking them all together should make it an easy call.

Why We Don't Celebrate

I hear many reasons for not celebrating on the job. Here's a partial list:

• We haven't succeeded yet.
• We haven't reached the goal yet.
• The project isn't finished yet.
• Nothing happened
• I expected we'd make that target.
• We don't have time.
• We don't have the resources.
• No one wants to celebrate.
• No one will organize it.
• No one really cares.
• It's no big deal.
• We are here to work, not to celebrate.

Some are more valid than others.

As leaders I know you can be creative enough to overcome those that are self-imposed limitations. The next time you hear (or say) a rationale for not celebrating, take a step back and decide if it's a valid reason or simply an excuse.

Did you notice the one word that shows up in many of them - yet? "Yet" highlights a big gray area; few people will actually say they are against celebration - they just set the bar so high that none ever happen! (Keep that idea in mind as you read on.)

When We Should Celebrate

This is where many people get stuck. They realize the value, but either over do it (celebrate because it's Tuesday afternoon) or under do it (it takes something amazing before we celebrate).

The key is to find a balance between those two ends of the spectrum. Here are some questions to help you determine when to celebrate, and if you have a "good enough" reason to do so.

• Do people realize how much they are appreciated?
• Do people realize how much they have achieved?
• Are people overly stressed?
• Do people need some perspective on the progress they are making?
• Would you like to bring people together?
• Could a celebration help me communicate any important messages more effectively?
• Do we just need to have a little fun?

Remember that celebrations can be for achieving a goal, but they don't have to be!

The real decisive point about when to celebrate (and how to do it) is this question:

• Will people appreciate and enjoy the celebration?

Consider this a leadership primer on celebrations.

It's likely I haven't answered all of your questions or solved all your dilemmas about celebrations (that wasn't my goal), but I hope I have given you some tools and some things to think about.

If I achieved that, I can celebrate.

Potential Pointer: Remarkable leaders recognize the value of celebrations and make time to celebrate the achievements and successes of their team.

Comments

Kevin's Recommends

My Triple 16 Solution: 16-Minute Phone Consultations with Kevin

By now you've hopefully heard The Kevin Eikenberry Group is 16 years old this month. While we haven't announced the final piece of our celebration, we have announced the chance to have 16-minute conversations with me.

I conceived these "mini-consultations" as a way to give back to you one-on-one. While there is no way I can have a face to face meeting with every subscriber, I can have a conversation one with you, if you take action now.

I sat down with my calendar and carved out a limited number of hours for mini-consultations.

For 16 minutes you will have my undivided attention. I will listen to your leadership, training, coaching or other organizational or professional development challenge and give you my best advice, thinking and counsel - and it won't cost you anything, except 16 minutes.

The best part is, after that consult, if together we determine we have products or services that can help you and your organization, you'll receive a 16% discount on the cost of those services immediately, regardless of the size of your investment.

There it is, the "Triple 16 Solution" (16 years, 16 minutes, 16% off).

Think about it this way, if you were already thinking about calling us, setting up this consultation now could save you hundreds, or thousands, of dollars. Or, if your training or project budget has been cut by 15% - we can be an immediate solution to your challenge!

There is only one caveat: these mini-consults must take place in October. And, once the time on my calendar is booked, it's booked. To get your appointment and qualify for your discount, you must act quickly.

Sign up now - and we will be in touch right away to get you on my calendar.

Comments

Home | About Kevin | Archive | My Subscription | Contact Us

If you find this information valuable, please pass it on to a friend. You can forward them the email or go to http://www.kevineikenberry.com/uypw/tell.asp to use our Tell A Friend tool.

If you received a forwarded copy of this newsletter and would like to subscribe for yourself, go to: http://www.kevineikenberry.com/uypw/subscribe.asp.

For information on reprinting any of this information included in this issue of Unleashing Your Remarkable Potential, go to: http://kevineikenberry.com/uypw/reprints.asp

© 2009 The Kevin Eikenberry Group – All Rights Reserved

The Kevin Eikenberry Group
http://www.kevineikenberry.com
7035 Bluffridge Way
Indianapolis, IN 46278