Celebrating Small Wins: The Power of Appreciation in Building a Positive Culture
Several years ago, my husband Matt and I embarked on a five-month RV road trip in our vehicle, fondly named Freedom. Early in our journey, we began compiling a list of people and places that stood out for their exceptional service or kindness—whether it was a stack of melt-in-your-mouth pancakes, a warm smile, or a helpful tip on a "locals-only" shortcut.
We called this project "Celebrating Small Wins." Whenever we encountered a moment of excellence, we added it to our list and made sure to express our appreciation to the person responsible. One such memorable experience occurred in Grand Junction, CO, when Freedom started making unsettling clunking noises. We found ourselves at Sanders Hydraulics, where we met the owner, Lil, who was dressed in bright pink capris and flip-flops, accompanied by her friendly white German Shepherd, Lady. Lil, who had inherited the shop from her father, quickly diagnosed the problem and found the necessary part in no time. Thanks to her expertise, we were back on the road in a flash, with a deep sense of gratitude for her help.
Having been raised to always send handwritten thank-you cards, I made sure to mail one to Lil that very day. To my delight, that simple gesture sparked several years of correspondence with Lil, complete with photos of Lady. This unexpected connection has brought me joy ever since, a reminder of how powerful a little appreciation can be.
This experience is a lesson I carry into my work as a culture coach. I've learned that showing appreciation and gratitude is crucial to fostering a positive workplace culture. When leaders and managers regularly recognize their teams' hard work, it creates an environment where people feel inspired, motivated, and connected by a shared purpose. Importantly, this practice shouldn't be limited to top-down recognition. I encourage employees at all levels to acknowledge each other's contributions, including those of their managers.
One of my clients has embraced this idea by introducing "Gratitude Fridays." During this event, team members take turns reading aloud the "kudos" submitted throughout the week. These shoutouts might recognize a coworker for brainstorming ten new slogans for a campaign, suggesting an improved way to design a science experiment, or even clearing out mystery meat from the lunchroom freezer (an issue many of us remember!). This organization has made Gratitude Fridays a key part of its Rewards and Recognition program, embedding appreciation into its culture.
Gratitude Friday is this company's version of writing thank-you notes and seeking out small wins within the team. Both practices require little effort, but the rewards are immense. When appreciation and gratitude are freely given, employees are happier, more fulfilled, more productive, and more likely to stay with the company long-term. These outcomes aren't just beneficial for business—they can become cherished gifts, much like receiving an annual holiday card from Colorado, complete with photos of a beloved dog named Lady.