THE GUIDE
Year-end team awards: ideas and how to make them land
Team awards are a fun way to end the year and to say thank you in public. The best ones are kind, specific and give everyone an award, not just the stars.
What makes a good award
- Everyone gets one. Awards for a few people leave the rest feeling invisible.
- Name the behaviour you want more of: calm in a crisis, helping others, fixing a process.
- Write one specific line on why: a date, a project or a moment.
- Keep jokes gentle. If the person might not laugh, choose another award.
Running the ceremony
- Use Present mode: show the award, pause, then reveal the name.
- Ask the team to clap for each person, and give them a moment to say thanks.
- Print the certificates, or send each person theirs afterwards.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, if the team chooses them. Ask the team to vote for the manager’s award.
Yes. Share your screen in Present mode, then send each certificate image afterwards.