The Hidden Cost of Not Celebrating Success—And How to Fix It
In the Change game, we all know the importance of recognition and celebrating success. But why do we avoid it? I’m not perfect, I’m guilty of moving on to the next project before properly acknowledging the last one. It’s not that we don’t appreciate the team’s efforts, it’s that the next deadline or priority always seems more urgent.
But skipping recognition isn’t just a missed opportunity, it’s a leadership blind spot. What I’m talking about might feel like common sense, but the challenge isn’t in knowing what to do. It’s in overcoming the barriers that stop us from actually doing it.
Let’s break down why celebrating matters, why we don’t do it enough, and how we can make it happen, even when time is tight.
Why Celebrating Success Matters
01
It Boosts Morale
A simple “thank you” can go a long way. Teams that feel valued are motivated to bring their best.
02
Positivity Breeds Positivity
Recognising success shows teams what “good” looks like. When we celebrate great stakeholder management or resilience under pressure, we encourage those behaviours.
03
It Provides Closure
Without recognition, teams might feel their efforts have gone unnoticed. Celebration brings a sense of closure, allowing everyone to move forward with pride and clarity.
04
It Builds a Culture of Achievement
Celebrating projects big and small creates an environment where wins are visible and valued. This drives retention which is huge.
Why We Don’t Do It Enough
We’re Too Busy - It’s easy to think there’s no time for celebrations when the next project looms. But skipping recognition often leads to disengagement and burnout, which costs more time in the long run.
It’s Not in Our Routine - Without deliberate planning, celebrations can fall by the wayside. If we don’t build recognition into our plan, it rarely happens.
How to Overcome These Barriers
Plan for Celebration
Include recognition in your plan. Whether it’s a formal celebration or in your weekly meeting, getting it in the diary early ensures it doesn’t get overlooked.
Keep It Simple
Recognition doesn’t need to be a huge fanfare. A simple thank you, a quick call-out in a meeting, or a team lunch can make a huge impact.
Focus on the “Why”
Celebrate not just the fact that the project was delivered, but how it was delivered. Call out the teamwork, creativity, or perseverance that made success possible.
Delegate the Celebration
If you’re stretched, empower someone else to lead the recognition. This ensures it happens without adding more to your plate.
Culture
Establish regular practices for celebrating wins, blogs, or success posts. When it’s part of your culture, it becomes second nature.
Practical Ways to Celebrate and Recognise
Say Thank You - A personal “thank you” or “great job” costs nothing but means everything.
Be specific – Shout about what team members did well:
“Holly’s proactive planning saved us weeks of effort.”
“Dave’s stakeholder engagement kept us all aligned.”
Document and Share Success - Summarise the project’s outcomes and lessons in a company article. Not only does this celebrate the work, but it also builds workplace knowledge.
Get Senior Leaders Involved - Recognition carries more weight when it comes from the top. Invite senior leaders to send a thank you note or join a team celebration. Although, I hope they should be doing that anyway – But that’s for a different article !
Reflection
I know it can be hard to hit pause and recognise success when the next project is calling. But it’s worth asking ourselves:
- What message are we sending if we don’t celebrate?
- What would it take to make recognition a non-negotiable part of our leadership approach?
The truth is, skipping celebrations isn’t about time or cost - It’s about mindset. When we value recognition as much as delivery, we make it happen.
The Bottom Line…
Don’t skip celebrations like you wouldn’t skip leg day! Projects are about people as much as they are about results. Recognising success is a leadership responsibility, not a nice-to-have. It’s how we build trust, motivation, and a culture of excellence.
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