It is my birthday today and our family celebrated with a ritual that developed, quite by accident, a few birthdays ago. The cake is made the day before, the kitchen table decorated with lights and banners and when we wake, a fuss is made, we sing the song and have cake for breakfast. Healthy? Depends on the cake but usually, not in the slightest. Bonding? A most resounding yes. It is something that is unique to our family and has the frisson and comfort associated with any great ritual – it reminds us that we are a tribe and that we belong.
In the workplace, there is space for rituals too – it takes awareness and no small sense of fun, but done right, it can tell people that they are part of a tribe and what they do, matters.
Ant Ciavarella | Founder and CEO