
*This blog is part of the March 2023 Thought Leader newsletter
We had an interesting question during an interview this week.
A little background first: The recruiting and interview process is not for the faint of heart. Like many accounting firms and businesses in the country and worldwide, we’re looking for the right person to join our team. Of course, we want someone with the skill set, knowledge and expertise to do the job. But we also focus on ensuring their personality, work ethic and values coincide with our team and company culture.
So, while we’re interviewing the candidate to determine if they’re a good fit, the candidate should also be interviewing us. They need to decide whether we best fit their values, needs and desires in a new position. All these considerations mean the process can be lengthy.
All right, back to the original question that got us thinking after the interview concluded: “How do you celebrate individual and team achievements?”
In the moment, the answer, “We’re a kind and supportive team who says ‘thank you’ often,” rolled off the tongue. But days later, we’re still pondering—is that enough? Do we proactively and intentionally celebrate our team? How do we know they feel supported and recognized? And how do we address mistakes or opportunities for improvement?
To address our lingering questions, we made a list of the times we celebrate and support individuals and the group. This list is not exhaustive. The frequencies in celebrations and support vary—in fact, we would love to add to it with intention. As of today, the following are ways we celebrate and support one another with fidelity and pride.
As you read through the list, consider how you recognize and support each other in your own firm. Which of the following rings true to you? Can you implement efforts to strengthen the firm and team culture of support and recognition?
How does your own firm celebrate accomplishments and support one another? Do you have a culture that’s quick to say, “good job” and “thank you?” Do you hold one-on-one, less-formal meetings to lift and support your staff and team members?
Remember the importance of verbal praise, support and recognition as tax season winds down. Everyone’s working hard and will inevitably be ready for moments of fun, celebration and deep breaths. As we constantly learn in our skills and work, we must continue to learn and put effort toward the people we work with and the teams we support.
To learn more about creating a positive culture and retaining your best employees, check out this blog post.
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