Celebrating in our networks
Kerstin Tebbe, Founder, Collective Mind
A network’s culture is its operating philosophy, embodied in the shared values, norms, attitudes, and practices of its members. Alongside a network’s infrastructure — i.e., the structures and processes for organizing ourselves — a network’s culture maintains the shared purpose and fosters ongoing collaboration. It enables constructive dynamics and ensures they’re expressed in all network undertakings. (See Collective Mind’s Network Diagnostic Framework for more.)
Network culture is grounded in a kaleidoscope of elements. Among them, celebrations can serve as a sometimes-overlooked contributing factor to a strong network culture.
Why we should celebrate in our networks
Celebrations transmit culture within a network, building members’ shared identity and sense of belonging.
Celebrations often entail — or can be the building blocks for — rituals within groups that convey deeper meanings. When we celebrate in our network, we’re collectively expressing our beliefs about what matters to us as a group. If we celebrate the joining of new members, we show how much an active, growing membership means to us. If we celebrate the accomplishment of an individual member, we demonstrate our shared pride in our colleagues and their achievements as valued members of our collective. If we celebrate the launch of a joint piece of work, we express our faith in the group’s ability to work together and create shared outcomes. If we celebrate an advocacy or policy success, we convey our belief in the power of our collective action. If we celebrate an anniversary, we commemorate the longevity of our network and its ongoing potential to create change.
As such, celebrations can strengthen group bonds based on shared values and beliefs, helping network members to feel like they are part of something greater than themselves. The activity of the celebration itself can create positive memories of shared experiences and create or pass along traditions that educate members about the network’s history, values, and norms.
Celebrations also promote togetherness. Whereas we often build trust and relationships in our networks by working together, celebrations can give us a break from the work and an alternate route to connecting. Depending on their design and how they play out, celebrations can be opportunities to deepen existing connections and to make new connections among members that previously didn’t know one another. By connecting people and emphasizing what’s shared among them, celebrations can reinforce a collective identity within the network. In these ways, celebrations reinforce and extend bonds between members, enhancing group cohesion.
Furthermore, celebrations foster motivation and boost morale and well-being within networks.
As humans, we’re motivated when our efforts and achievements are recognized. At a group level, celebrations can catalyze momentum within our networks. Regular celebrations can encourage participation and engagement within the network. For example, members may be motivated to take action or take the initiative when they see members being lauded for their efforts and experience the pride and encouragement demonstrated by the group via such a celebration. Sharing individuals’ achievements within the network not only celebrates those accomplishments, it can also help other members see how they might connect, learn, or collaborate with one another.
Similarly, celebrating successes can create a sense of pride both for those directly involved and others who can feel shared ownership of the successes within the collective. For example, calling out members’ successes in a group chat or via network communications like newsletters and social media spreads the word about accomplishments and fosters a sense of forward progress within the group. An anniversary party at the 5-year mark, for example, offers a chance to both reflect on efforts and outcomes to date and rally around a future vision. Likewise, an end-of-year trivia game to take stock of what was undertaken together in the year both articulates achievements and creates a sense of shared accomplishment. Celebrations like these help members recognize their collective self-efficacy, boosting morale and group well-being. When we emphasize our progress, celebrations carry symbolic meanings of hope and optimism for the future, creating positive feedback loops of inspiration, action, and impact.
How we can celebrate in our networks
What does this all mean in practice? First, in our networks, we want to celebrate both individuals and the collective. We want to shine lights on what our members have accomplished and cheer ourselves on as a group for the progress we’ve made through our joint and joined-up efforts.
We also want to celebrate both the big wins and the small ones. Don’t wait until something monumental has happened: honor the steps along the way as progress towards your bigger shared goals. Recognize the small actions that can add up to major outcomes.
And finally, focus on having fun and integrating play. Collaboration and collective action are hard work. Break away from what can sometimes feel overwhelming or fruitless to enjoy lighthearted time together. Foster shared joy, excitement, and camaraderie to reduce stress and contribute to mental well-being within your network.
