Celebrating Your Team for Valentine’s Day

Valentine's Day usually brings to mind love hearts and chocolates, but it’s also a perfect time to celebrate something just as important—our amazing teams! As leaders, we know that showing appreciation goes a long way in boosting morale and building stronger relationships. Valentine’s Day gives us the perfect excuse to put a little extra love and fun into the mix!

One of my favorite ways to show appreciation was when my admin team and I put on aprons, brought in griddles and waffle irons, and made pancakes and waffles for our staff. Picture this: warm waffles topped with strawberries, whipped cream, and chocolate chips—yes, we went all out! The act of serving our team made the experience even sweeter. 

Another time, I decided to dive deeper into how my team likes to be appreciated. We did the "Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace" quiz. After everyone took it, we grouped together by their appreciation language: gifts, words of affirmation, quality time, acts of service, and physical touch (a friendly high-five counts!). This simple exercise was such an eye-opener! For example, some of my team really felt seen when I took the time to personally thank them during meetings, while others appreciated when I offered to help with grading, or sit and listen to their concerns. 

If you’re looking for fun ways to celebrate your team this Valentine’s Day, here are some ideas:

• Personalized Notes: Take a moment to write heartfelt notes to each person on your team, highlighting something specific they’ve done recently. Everyone loves a little recognition, especially when it’s sincere.
• Shout-Out Wall: Create a virtual or physical wall where everyone can post shout-outs to each other. It’s a fun and interactive way to spread the love!
• Team Celebration Breakfast: Whether you make the food yourself (waffles anyone?) or order in, gathering over food is always a winner.
• Fun Group Activity: Valentine’s-themed trivia or games are always a hit and give the team a chance to laugh and connect.

Remember, the best way to show appreciation is to be genuine. Take what you know about your team’s preferences, whether from quizzes like the Five Languages of Appreciation or simply through everyday interactions, and tailor your efforts to what they value most. It doesn’t have to be expensive or elaborate—sometimes, the simplest gestures are the most meaningful.

Valentine’s Day may only come around once a year, but let’s make showing appreciation a daily habit. When we take time to celebrate and value the people around us, it makes our teams stronger, happier, and more motivated. So, what will you do this Valentine’s Day to spread the love?

Let’s get creative, have some fun, and show our teams just how much they mean to us!