Celebrating Small Wins (And Why They Are Important)
Why Small Wins Are a Big Deal
I used to think compliments weren’t really for me. Growing up, I learned to do good work quietly and move on — no praise necessary. I did well in school and figured that simply knowing I did a good job was enough.
But once I started working in design, I quickly learned how powerful positive reinforcement can be. Design is often ambiguous, slow-moving, and full of unknowns. In that kind of environment, even a small “you’re on the right track” can feel like a much-needed boost.
Celebrating small wins isn’t about ego — it’s about momentum. A little recognition goes a long way in keeping people motivated, especially during long or complex projects. It reinforces what’s working, encourages more of it, and helps the team keep moving forward without burning out.
Why You Should Celebrate Small Wins
Reinforces Good Habits & Direction
Positive feedback helps shape what people do more of. When you call out good thinking, collaboration, or thoughtful design decisions, people naturally keep doing it.
I remember a time we were designing a new feature, and I kept asking our stakeholders why we were building it and what we were really trying to solve. I was nervous about pushing too much, but my manager encouraged me. He said he appreciated my thinking and would back me up if needed. That gave me the confidence to keep going — and in the end, we came up with a much better solution. That one bit of support made a big difference in how I approached problem-solving after that.
Builds Confidence
Celebrating small wins helps people feel like they’re making progress — especially when the bigger goal still feels far away.
Back when I was teaching creative writing to third graders, one of my students was really shy and not confident in her writing. I made a point to encourage her regularly, even if her writing wasn’t the best in the class yet. Over time, she improved a lot — just because someone believed in her.
Honestly, we’re all a little like that kid. Sometimes we just need someone to tell us we’re doing a good job.
Improves Morale
Recognition makes people feel seen. A simple thank-you or public shoutout can go a long way in making the team feel connected and appreciated.
It always feels good to give or receive a public shoutout — whether in Slack, a team meeting, or even just a quick note. It helps build trust and makes the team feel more human. Small gestures like that help people feel part of something bigger.
Keeps Energy Up During Long Cycles
On long or behind-the-scenes work, it’s easy to feel like nothing is moving. Small wins help keep the momentum going.
When we were building the design system, a lot of our time went into designing the user experience for the documentation site. It was meaningful work, but not the kind that gets a lot of visibility. After a few months, the team started feeling a bit drained and unsure if the progress was paying off. So we took a moment to pause and reflect — we shared what we had accomplished so far and gave each other some well-deserved shoutouts. It also reminded me how important it is for managers to advocate for the team’s work and help others understand its impact. That meeting gave everyone a boost and helped us reconnect with the value of what we were building.
How to Celebrate Small Wins (Without It Feeling Cringe)
Be Specific
Instead of a vague “Nice job,” offer meaningful, personalized feedback.
“Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the carousel arrow design. You pointed out an edge case that could’ve easily been missed, and now the component feels much more flexible.”
This kind of recognition takes attention and care — especially from managers and leads — but it makes a lasting impact.
Match the Moment
Not every win needs a big announcement. A Slack emoji, a short thank-you, or a team shoutout can go a long way. For bigger moments, go bigger. We set up a Slack workflow that prompts the team to share weekly wins — it’s a quick morale boost and a great way to wrap the week.
Build It Into Team Rituals
Make celebrating wins part of the rhythm.
Add a “wins” section to weekly standups or retros.
Share highlights in Slack or Notion at the end of the week.
Before diving into “what could be better,” take a moment to acknowledge what went well.
Starting this rhythm doesn’t take much — a simple prompt or weekly check-in can get the ball rolling.
Celebrate More Than Just Output
Not all wins are about shiny deliverables. Effort, learning, collaboration, and thoughtful problem-solving are all worth celebrating. If something moved the needle — even a little — that’s a win.
Let Peers Share the Love
Encouragement doesn’t have to come from leadership. Recognition from peers can feel even more genuine. As a lead, model this by giving shoutouts of your own and encouraging others to do the same.
Proactively Share the Positive Feedback
One of the nicest surprises I received was a message from a designer who thanked me for leading our book club and organizing team activities. I wasn’t doing it for the recognition — I genuinely enjoyed it — but hearing that it had made a difference made me feel appreciated in a way I hadn’t expected.
So if you appreciate someone’s effort — say something. It takes less time than you think, and it can mean more than you know.
Don't Forget to Celebrate Yourself
It’s easy to overlook your own progress, especially when things feel tough. Taking time to reflect on your daily or weekly wins can help you stay grounded and motivated. Building a habit of self-recognition is a great way to keep your energy up — even when things aren’t going perfectly.
Wrapping Up
Celebrating small wins isn’t about handing out gold stars — it’s about building a team culture where progress is noticed, shared, and valued. It helps keep momentum going, strengthens team connection, and reminds us all why the work we’re doing matters.
And it’s not just for the team — it’s for yourself, too. Taking a moment to acknowledge the small steps forward makes the bigger journey feel that much more meaningful.