Wow! So much to celebrate! Look how much we accomplished!

Last night I attended the 40th anniversary of the founding of an organization and celebrated with the people who made it possible. I’m not even a member and I’m still on a high from the event.

Instead of lengthy speeches, there were interspersed 5 minute videos with clips of tributes and photos. They were filled with smiles, accomplishments and triumphs over adversity. Early in the evening, the audience began nodding and reminiscing, sharing their memories, and laughing over shared experiences. Plenty of time and space were created for mingling and sharing.

The organizers made sure that everyone could feel a part of the event and a part of the celebration.

Celebrations are powerful!

Celebrations are not just for 40-year anniversaries. Every step of the way toward our future, we have to remind ourselves of what we’ve already accomplished and celebrate the milestones.   

Board meetings are so often about challenges and change. Committee meetings are task oriented. What happens if you first celebrate triumphs and create a positive frame of mind before tackling a big job? According to Richard Boyatzis, of Case Western Reserve, a positive frame of mind can influence how receptive people are to new ideas. This is particularly important for leaders.

Working with boards and committees, I often begin by reminding them of all they’ve already accomplished before they spiral into the negative. The difference can be dramatic. Board members in one organization continually talked about problems they faced in getting new members. So I researched the history of the organization, specifically seeking out occasions in which they had triumphed over some adversity or introduced an innovation.

I opened the next meeting talking about how amazing they were, to have been able to accomplish those things. I reminded them of the legacy they had inherited of earlier boards that had the foresight to create a long running program. Body language changed. Individual board members started remembering challenges they had overcome. When it came time to address the membership question, they were much more receptive to new ideas and new ways of thinking about their community.

Celebrate! Begin board meetings with a litany of what has gone right, instead of wrong. You will still have challenges, but you’ll be in a much better frame of mind for contemplating new ways to overcome them.

Enjoy and appreciate all you’ve already done!

What do YOU have to celebrate? If you’d like to talk about how to bring a positive energy to board retreats and staff meetings, let me know.

With appreciation to Three Dog Night and their song: Celebrate!