The team I was working with kept throwing flowers at one another. They were sharing stories of how well their work had been received by some clients and raving about the achieved results. Listening to their stories often was fun and well received by other members of the team.

It was the atmosphere one would have expected around a fireplace. Just like there, the team enjoyed being told stories. It helped them understand what others had made possible with their work and how clients had been satisfied.

For those listening, it was an invitation to do similar work and the shared expectation that they too would perform like that in the future. For those sharing the stories, it was a way of finding and sharing recognition for the work they had done. The stories allowed them to feel recognition through the admiration of others.

Sharing stories like that created an impression of generosity in sharing experience and recognition. And there is no doubt, that there was generosity in taking the time, to share stories and emotions.

At the same time, it allowed the team to stick to a habit of doing their work instinctively and via experiments. They had established a culture based on reaction. It allowed them to remain for as much time as possible in an execution mode. They were avoiding taking the time needed to reflect on the work as it is being done. A time that would have allowed them to make their work and competence visible beyond the existing focus on sharing successes.