The Hidden Power of Recognition in Pharma Teams

Nearly every leader we work with freely admits they could do much better at celebrating wins and recognising the contribution of others.

At Five&Co. we play a key role in helping teams pause, reflect and ask; what can we do better tomorrow than what we did today, helping them recognise what they are doing well and taking the time to celebrate the progress.

The pattern we see in high-performing pharma teams

In Pharma, pace and pressure are constants. The next deadline, the next milestone, the next challenge to overcome — there’s always something waiting just ahead. Teams push hard to deliver. However, in the rush to move forward, teams struggle to slow down. And that pause is often what helps them move forward.

At Five&Co. we see this all the time. Teams who are doing incredible work — life-changing work — yet rarely take the time to acknowledge it. Not because they don’t care, but because the system rewards forward motion. The mindset is always: “what’s next?”

The truth is, we are not good at recognising and celebrating success. That’s why at every offsite we lead or team we work with we will carve out time for teams to do this.

Recognition isn’t a nice-to-have

Recognition isn’t a ‘nice-to-have’. It’s a psychological need.

When people feel seen and valued for what they’ve achieved, something fundamental shifts — belonging deepens, engagement rises, and resilience grows.

We are not talking about trophies or company-wide shoutouts (though those have their place). It’s about being seen and heard by those around us.

Read more on belonging and team resilience: Your purposeful people plan

Recognition at work: what it looks like in practice

It’s about moments when someone says, “I saw how much effort you put into that project” or “Your input changed the direction of that study — thank you.”

When people understand their contribution to the success of the team, they stop feeling like small cogs in a vast machine. They start feeling part of something meaningful. They know their purpose.

Making space to celebrate

So how do you actually do it? It doesn’t have to be grand or time-consuming. But it does have to be intentional.

Here are a few ideas we share with teams:

Build reflection into the rhythm of work

End major milestones with a short debrief that focuses not only on what can be improved, but what went well. Call it out and identify peoples strengths and contributions.

Name the wins — big and small

Acknowledging small successes creates a habit of appreciation and awareness.

Make it personal

Ask each team member to share what they’re proud of, or who helped them along the way.

Celebrate progress, not just outcomes

In Pharma, timelines are long and results take years. Recognising the steps along the way sustains motivation.

The goal isn’t to throw a party after every deliverable (though sometimes, that’s exactly what’s needed). It’s to create a culture where pausing and recognising success is part of how you work — not something that happens if there’s time left over.

Why it matters

Reflection and celebration aren’t distractions from the ‘real work’. They are the work — the human work that keeps teams thriving.

Because when people feel seen and valued, they don’t just perform better. They belong. They care. They stay.

If you’re ready to build recognition into the rhythm of work — and strengthen trust, energy and performance in your pharma team — we’d love to help. Explore what we do for teams or book an exploratory chat.