Celebrating success

Is it cringe-worthy or immodest to celebrate success? Instinctively, I think yes. Rationally, I don’t see why. Recognition matters. It’s data reflecting that something went well, and it’s fuel for the next stretch. So I’m throwing caution to the wind because I’m proud of this achievement and think it deserves a song and dance.

My team has just been awarded IEL’s International Employment Team of the Year (private practice), and my boss, Sarah Henchoz, won International Employment Lawyer of the Year (private practice). Call me biased, but both are very well deserved. Behind the scenes, there’s a lot of graft: planning, people management, coordination, and a hefty dose of emotional intelligence to sustain performance over time. Personally, I feel lucky to work somewhere that’s recognized for its work and has wonderful colleagues—whatever their role—and clients. And we have fun too.

How this lands in the workplace

For every manager, this is a useful reminder that celebrating success isn’t vanity, it’s culture. Done well, it builds connection, signals what good looks like, and helps retention. Done poorly, it breeds cynicism. The difference is in the execution.

• Make it inclusive. Recognition shouldn’t orbit just the most visible people or the loudest contributions. The quiet excellence that underpins great outcomes deserves airtime. If you’re celebrating a win, tell the story of the team behind it, not just the headlines.
• Make it specific. Generic praise is forgettable; targeted praise is instructive. Spell out the behaviors that made the difference: collaboration across functions, clear communication under pressure, resilience through setbacks. This is what people can repeat.
• Make it sustainable. Awards and milestones are great, but the day-to-day cadence of feedback is where culture lives. If recognition appears only at year-end or when there’s a trophy, it will feel performative. Small, frequent, genuine thanks go the extra mile.

So, congratulations to Sarah and the whole team. Here’s to doing excellent work, acknowledging it openly, and using those moments to lift everyone.