A company in Grand Island hired me because morale was dropping, even though revenue was rising. Their team looked tired, discouraged, disconnected. The owner said, “Isaiah, I don’t understand. We’re doing well… why doesn’t it feel good?”
I spent a week observing the team. And something became abundantly clear they never celebrated anything. They moved from one project to the next with no pause, no acknowledgment, no gratitude, no joy. Success had become normal, which meant it had also become invisible.
So I asked the owner, “When was the last time you thanked your team publicly?” He shrugged. “I mean… they know I appreciate them.” I nodded. “Do they? Or do you just assume they do?”
The room went silent.
Nebraska teams are humble by nature, but humility without affirmation turns into emptiness. People need to feel seen. Recognized. Valued. Celebrated. Especially when they pour their hearts into their work.
So we created a culture of intentional celebration. Weekly team highlights. Monthly wins meetings. Personal acknowledgments. Small handwritten notes. A text saying “I saw what you did thank you.” And within weeks, everything changed. Energy improved. Attitudes lifted. Creativity increased. Even performance strengthened.
One employee said, “For the first time, I feel like what I do matters.” That simple sentence held the entire transformation.
Success doesn’t automatically create fulfillment. Celebrating success does.
If your Nebraska team feels flat or disconnected, I’d be honored to help you create a culture that breathes life back into them.
Button: Help Me Celebrate My Team
No responses yet