Appreciation in Agile teams - "Shout Outs"

Here's a simple idea that provides great benefits for teams. I was working with a team that started giving "shout-outs" at their retrospectives. Any team member could take a minute to recognize other team members for anything they did - whether it was to help someone, take on a task to help out, take on a role even if it's not their primary role.... how do you think this worked out?

There's been some research that speaks to the benefits of helping others, with some interesting results. The first benefit is expected. One of the studies showed that patients at hospitals who didn't have a strong support network, benefited from people coming to be with them, read to them, talk and just be part of their support network. It's what you expect.

Expressing appreciation to others has powerful effects. I once did an experiment. At the time I was driving on a tollway everyday and when I first starting driving I was paying cash because I hadn't  set up a toll tag account. In the morning, I would drive up to a toll booth and pay my toll and pay the toll for the person behind me. It was always interesting to see the smile on the toll agent's face and even more so the expressions of the drivers behind me. Almost every time, they would catch up to me, wave and say thank you. Simple, inexpensive, but seemed to have great impact.

From the book Conscious Capitalism by Mackey, Sisodia: 

Wayne Dyer, renowned author and speaker in the field of self-development, writes that "research has shown that a simple act of kindness directed toward another improves the functioning of the immune system and stimulates the production of serotonin in both the recipient of the kindness and the person extending the kindness. Even more amazing is that the persons observing the act of kindness have similar beneficial results. Imagine this! Kindness extended, received, or observed beneficially impacts the physical health and feelings of everyone involved!"

In the work environment, where many times praise and appreciation is limited, the simple act of adding shout outs to your team retrospectives can be a great way to provide frequent praise to team members. At least one team I work with has moved beyond just retrospectives and uses it other times as well.  You know it's working when team members say, "can we do shout outs now?"

It's great for the team and great for the team members. Give it a try.