Celebrating as a team is more than just having a party when something big happens—it’s about making everyone feel proud, included, and excited to keep working together. When you take time to notice what your team has achieved, you help everyone feel like they matter and that their hard work is seen. This makes people want to keep helping each other and do their best.

Celebration doesn’t have to wait for huge milestones. Even small wins—like finishing a tricky task, helping a teammate, or learning something new—are worth noticing. When you pause to say, “We did it!” or “That was a great team effort,” you build positive energy that helps your team tackle the next challenge.

You can make celebration a habit by:

• Starting meetings with a quick “win of the week”
• Sharing a group high-five or a fun emoji in your chat when you finish something together
• Taking a moment after a project to talk about what went well and what you’re proud of

Here’s how a “win of the week” might look in your team chat:

When you celebrate together, you remind everyone that they’re part of something special.

Feeling appreciated is a big part of feeling good on a team. When you notice what people do—big or small—and thank them, it helps everyone feel valued and motivated. Appreciation doesn’t have to be fancy. A simple, specific thank you goes a long way.

Instead of just saying, “Good job,” try to mention what the person did and why it helped. For example:

• Jake: I want to take a moment to celebrate what we just accomplished. We finished our project ahead of schedule!
• Milo: It really was a team effort.
• Jake: Definitely. Milo, your organization kept us on track, even when things changed at the last minute. That made a big difference.
• Victoria: And Milo, you helped me figure out a solution when I got stuck, which really helped us move forward.
• Jake: Exactly. Victoria, your positive attitude kept everyone motivated. And I noticed everyone pitched in to help each other! That’s what makes us a strong team.
• Milo: I couldn’t have done it without Victoria’s support and everyone working together.
• Jake: That’s what I love about this team. Everyone’s individual strengths come together to help us succeed. We should all be proud!

Notice how Jake points out both individual efforts and teamwork, showing that everyone’s contributions matter and that working together leads to success.

Some people like public praise, while others prefer a private thank you. Pay attention to what your teammates like, and show appreciation in a way that feels good to them. For example, some teammates might enjoy being recognized in front of the whole group or in a team chat, while others might feel shy or uncomfortable with public attention and would rather get a quiet thank you in a one-on-one conversation or a quick message.

If you’re not sure what someone prefers, you can ask them directly or notice how they react to different types of recognition. The goal is to make everyone feel comfortable and valued, so try to match your appreciation to what makes each person feel good. This helps everyone feel respected and included, and it shows that you care about them as individuals.

Celebration is even more powerful when you take a moment to think about what made your success possible. After a win, ask your team, “What helped us do well this time?” or “What should we remember for next time?” This helps you learn from your successes and repeat them in the future.

Here are some simple ways you can reflect as a team:

By talking about what worked, you help your team get even better next time. Plus, it feels good to remember how you succeeded together!

When you make reflection and appreciation a regular part of your team, it becomes something everyone looks forward to, not just a special event. Over time, these small habits help build a team culture where people naturally notice each other’s efforts and feel proud of what they accomplish together. You might start simple traditions, like ringing a bell for a team win, adding notes to a “kudos board,” or beginning meetings by sharing something that went well. These little rituals make appreciation and pride a normal part of your team’s day.

When you make it a habit to celebrate, appreciate, and reflect together, you help everyone feel included and build trust on your team. These simple actions keep your team positive, connected, and ready to handle new challenges. Next, you’ll get to practice these skills with real-life scenarios and see how small moments of recognition and celebration can make your team even stronger.