When I started working for iDisciple in April, the company was a small startup with just four employees. During my first week on the job, Hal White, our COO, led our little team through a list of core values that help guide the organization. One of these core values is to cultivate a culture of celebration.
As we've added employees and reached significant milestones in the past few months, we've made a point to celebrate both large and small wins regularly. This core value of celebration has served us well and established an essential habit in our workplace.
Each Monday morning we meet to clarify our priorities for the week. Then, on Thursday we gather to recognize and celebrate our progress. This simple rhythm has created an incredible sense of momentum for our team.
Here are three additional reasons you need a culture of celebration at work:
Celebration Encourages Top Performance
This summer we set a major goal for our content department. When we reached our goal, we threw a party with great food, handwritten thank-notes, and gift cards. It created a memorable experience dedicated to reaching a specific milestone. Because of our culture of celebration, our team is now excited and ready to do their best to reach their next goal.
Celebration Recognizes Others and God
When celebration is a priority, it gives us time to honor those who deserve honor. It also creates an opportunity to give glory where glory is due. We recognize that God is at work and multiplying our efforts far beyond what is possible by human effort.
Celebration Is a Way to Practice Gratitude
As we've practiced the habit of celebration, I've realized that it is an overflow of thankfulness. It’s easy to run to the next goal or assignment, but it’s essential in our busy lives to make time to celebrate. Colossians 3:15-17 is a great reminder of this truth, especially when we work together with others to a common goal.
Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this "going off and doing your own thing." And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good, common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way (The Message).
I’m grateful that we've consciously created a culture of celebration at iDisciple. What can you do to create a culture of celebration in your life and workplace?
