The Celebration Continues

Have you ever noticed, as the holiday season just behind us demonstrates how much more we celebrate calendared events like holidays and birthdays than personal or shared milestones of achievement? This is even more pronounced in our workday life, where celebration is viewed as "okay" only within limits.

Many describe today's corporate world as impersonal - devoid and bereft of meaning and spirit. One need only look at Dilbert's isolated cubicle and life to frame the issue. It may be that this lack is not so much due to the high tech/low touch phe­nomenon as it is to the lack of celebration. There are clear business reasons for engaging in regular celebration in the workplace. It engenders enthusiasm and builds a sense of community. and it expands corporate knowledge by creating a venue for shared communication.

This importance of celebration is gain­ing increasing attention. Corporate poet David Whyte, a recent visitor to Phoenix , consults worldwide in arousing the heart and putting the spiritual back in the work­place. A recent hook by corporate consul­tants, Terrence Deal and M.M. Key, Corporate Celebration: Play. Purpose and Profit at Work, reminds us of the value of celebra­tion as a vehicle for creating bonding between separate individuals and commu­nity. Celebrations," they say. 'infuse life with passion and purpose. They summon the human purpose. They attach us to our human roots and help us soar toward new visions. They touch our hearts and fire our imaginations." This is a fine prescription for helping fill the void of impersonality in the workplace.

Celebration may range from formal events to informal meetings. Here are some specific suggestions for incorporating celebration in the workplace:

Cast a wide net and invite involvement in the planning process. Rather than planning celebrations for our employees, engage them with the planning process. Bringing individuals from differ­ent sectors of your organization together to plan promotes collaboration, heightens the sense of contribution, and fosters a sense of community.

Educate and expand corporate knowledge. Use celebration as a vehicle to continuously educate about the past. pre­sent and future of the organization. Instead of the typical keynote speaker approach, try a series of short presenta­tions by individuals who have been with the organization for varying lengths of time. Ask them to relate their perspectives, experiences and challenges.

Leverage leadership. Invite key leaders from different sectors of the organization to share their learnings and describe how these earnings are helping them make a difference in the workplace. Listening to the voices of leaders inspires and motivates role modeling.

Expand your thinking when con­sidering how to celebrate. Think outside the box. There are many other ways to celebrate than by holding an annual event. Create an engaging storyboard or video as a way to foster awareness and transmit corporate knowledge.

Brag about the accomplishments. Boast about milestones and build on success. Be in the moment. Look for small ways and everyday ways to create a shared sense of progress and purpose and while you are at it, reconnect with the organization's mission.

Rekindle organizational memory. Revisit the founding story. There is an old saying "if you don't have a sense of where you come from, going backward looks like progress." Remember contributions of those who have come before. Create an organizational history that all can see. It will reawaken your purpose and reinvigo­rate your employees.

Appreciate. Honor achievement. Let your people know you appreciate them. Tell people they matter and why. And be authentic when you do. Celebrate the triumphs and big wins triumphantly and with big celebrations. Access the power of your people by seeking to link appreciation and alignment.

Talk about transitions before they happen. Instead of waiting until all aspects of anticipated change are certain, be proactive. Celebration is an opportunity to educate for change and build support for it.

Espouse the vision. Articulating the organizational vision harnesses energy and engages the spirit. Remember the rule of seven: say it seven times in seven differ­ent ways. Create consistent thought and action by keeping vision at the forefront.

Celebration feeds the human spirit. It engages people because of its intrinsic power to connect people to one another and create community. So the next time someone shrugs off the idea of celebration and asks what there is to celebrate, don't lust think about "good times" but focus on "these times." Seize the day. maximize milestones, celebrate progress. and acknowledge the transitions. Celebration is a powerful relationship-building oppor­tunity that can only redound to your benefit and profitability. The return on the psychic investment can he significant. It just makes good business sense.

Dr.Zachary is principal of Leadership Development Services, a Phoenix based consulting firm that offers leaders/up and training for corporate and not-for-profit organizations.