One of my favorite activities as a leader has always been putting together a "Year in Review" PowerPoint for my team.
It's a simple yet powerful way to reflect, celebrate, and reconnect with all the moments—big and small—that shaped our year together.
Each month gets its own slide filled with:
Milestones: Who got engaged, had babies, or celebrated work anniversaries (35 years for one teammate—wow!).
Achievements: Awards received, big projects completed, and new services offered.
Memories: Engagement activities like our St. Patrick's Day Mad Lib, crossword puzzles, minute to win it, NCAA and fantasy football winners, team outings, and even moments like managing a flood in our building together.
Impact: Lives touched, patients cared for, and mission-driven contributions like cancer walks or mission trips.
Laughter and Pride: Photos of celebrations, funny moments, relocations, renovations, and yes—even our faces on billboards!
When I first started this tradition, I gathered the photos and memories myself. By the second and third years, the team began sharing their own highlights, making it even more meaningful.
At our end-of-year party (an open-house style gathering since we couldn’t shut down completely), I’d share the slides in short sessions. Watching people light up, nod, and smile as they remembered those moments—or said, “Wow, that was a day!”—was unforgettable.
This tradition not only brought us closer as a team but also gave everyone a sense of pride and belonging. It reminded us that our work—and we—matter.
If you haven’t tried something like this with your team (or teams), I highly recommend it. Start small, keep it simple, and focus on the moments that matter. Though there might not be big pomp and circumstance when you share it, you might be surprised which team members share the presentation with their families, spreading the pride and joy beyond the workplace.
Here’s to celebrating your team’s impact and accomplishments in a way that lasts long after the year ends!
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