𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗲

"𝑺𝒖𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒔."

– Jaime Masters

Celebrate the wins AND then keep pushing.

Make a toast, and then pivot to plan your next steps.

For founders to embrace gratitude helps to build resilience for long-term success and promotes team confidence, collaboration, and retention.

However, don’t linger at the party too long.

I’ve seen founders raise a round and then decide the office needs a bunch of new amenities, which feels like an ongoing party.

Definitely acknowledge the win then pivot to planning the next phase.

𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘀

Build on your accomplishments to generate further benefits.

𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦

Review the success in meetings. Maybe have the people responsible for the win talk through the work.

Also, let clients know. Focus on how your success will benefit them e.g. a new release could benefit their workflow or reporting.

𝘏𝘺𝘱𝘦

Distinguish and amplify the reasons for the accomplishment.

Externally, emphasize the process which applies to all your work.

Internally, reinforce the actions (e.g. ideas, perseverance, collaboration, etc.) leading to success.

𝘙𝘦𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥

Recognize the team. Money may not be the best incentive and may not be an option. Look to people's prime motivation:

Achievement - they may want to lead a major project or join an industry conference.

Power - they may enjoy meeting an investor or appearing in a social media announcement.

Affiliation - they may smile broadly when called out in the meeting or designated the honorary guest at a team lunch.

Also, an introvert will prefer a private recognition while an extrovert will bask in public ceremony.

Tailor rewards for maximum effect.

𝗣𝘂𝘀𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹

Your win can motivate the team forward. Consider this process:

𝘈𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘴

Review the elements leading to success:

· What reasons led to this win?

· Were new people or approaches introduced?

· How to apply these factors in scaling the company?

𝘙𝘦-𝘦𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯

You know to assess the landscape when something drastic happens. Apply this win in the same way.

Revisit your business plan and financial model to make any necessary adjustments.

Success tempts us to complacency. You must adapt to keep growing.

𝘚𝘦𝘭𝘧-𝘚𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘺

It’s tempting to question yourself when things go poorly - but not after a win. Avoid that impulse and ask yourself these questions:

· What are potential risks now and how do we avoid them?

· What aspects of our strengths could become weaknesses?

· What potential challenges arise? What new opportunities?

Celebrate your wins, evaluate your standing, and plan your next steps in the company and in the market to improve your long-term success.

Trade the champagne flute for a coffee mug to optimize opportunities and reduce risks.

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Photo by Fadime Erbass who can be found here: https://bit.ly/3NZ6VGT