15: “Shout outs” and “Wins of the Week”

My work team recently started a new ritual to kick off and close out our weekly staff meetings. We begin each meeting with a rapid fire round table of “Shout outs,” and end the meeting with our “Wins of the Week.” The ritual is intended to foster an environment of gratitude, positivity, and pride. I know that it’s just another corny corporate concept, and it may be questionable whether professional adults should be doing a “summer camp” type of activity. But when your success and your client’s success depends on the people in your fox hole doing all of the extra little things to help the team, I’m willing to try whatever works. And it works.

“Shout outs” involve each member of the team recognizing one of their peers for great work that they noticed or support that they appreciated that particular week. “Wins of the week” involve each member’s proudest accomplishment that week. It serves as a reminder of what matters and why we do what we do. So far, even those that rolled their eyes and initially resisted the exercise, everyone left the meeting with an extra spring in their step. Through the activity, I also realized how much quality work was going on behind the scenes on a daily basis. Mission accomplished.

The exercise shouldn’t stop at the staff meeting. We all need a little more gratitude, pride, and positivity in our lives. It can only help our relationships, our teams, and our environments. So who will you shout out today? What’s your win of the week?

I’ll shout out my buddies, Johnny Walter and Jim Reid, for coming over today to build and replace the ladder to the dock on my pond. Yes, they did all the work while I handed them tools, beers, and hoagies. That’s what friends are for. Thanks boys! I couldn’t have done it without you.

My win of the week was seeing one of my advisors, Pat Kalish, get promoted to a leadership position. One of the best parts of leadership is developing other leaders, and Pat’s going to be fantastic. I’m proud of the work we’ve done together, and excited to see what he accomplishes from here.

Now it’s your turn. As you think about your “Shout outs” and “Wins of the week,” feel free to cringe at the exercise. I don’t mind if you roll your eyes at the guy reflecting during Final Four Weekend. But either way, I encourage you to give it a try, and let me know how it goes. You won’t regret it.