Making Time for Connection, Celebration, and Recognition at Work
Christmas may feel like a distant memory to many of us now that January is nearly over, but before it completely disappears from view, I want to highlight one aspect of Christmas which may serve us well as we plan for 2026. Whether you celebrate Christmas as a faith tradition or simply as a national holiday, it’s one of the few times in the UK when people intentionally stop and carve out time to spend with those who matter. It’s also the one time of the year when we re-establish connection with people we haven’t seen for months, or even years, through Christmas cards and appreciate our loved ones through gifts. These moments are important because they foster connection, joy, and belonging.
But here’s the thing: these moments are just as important in the workplace.
Why it Matters
Research consistently shows that connection, celebration, and recognition aren’t just “nice-to-haves” - they’re essential for engagement and performance:
Connection boosts engagement and well-being. Employees with a friend at work are significantly more engaged, collaborative, and productive, and a sense of belonging reduces stress and improves collaboration
Celebration sustains energy and creativity. Taking time to mark milestones or reflect on achievements helps teams feel valued and motivated.
Recognition drives retention and performance. One study found that employees who felt recognised were up to 2.7 times more likely to be highly engaged - and 73% less likely to report burnout.
At the end of many of our training programmes, we pause for a special moment: participants publicly acknowledge what they’ve appreciated about someone else in the room, and everyone receives a personalised certificate of appreciation. These moments are often emotional - people have even framed their hand-drawn certificates! It’s a simple gesture, but it creates lasting impact.
When we talk about the power of celebration with our training groups it’s consistently an area where they say “we don’t do enough of that!” Some teams are so future-focused that they just move on quickly to the next thing before stopping to celebrate.
As you plan for the year ahead, ask yourself:
What moments of celebration can you build in? Project completions, team milestones, or even small wins.
How will you create space for connection? Shared meals, team-building activities, or informal check-ins.
How will you recognise contributions? Personalised thank-yous, shout-outs, or peer recognition platforms.
-Ruth Visick-Evans