If women physician leaders celebrated themselves and their accomplishments more often, the ripple effects could be powerful — not just personally, but for
- their teams,
- their organizations,
- and even the larger healthcare system.
I’ve seen it firsthand — how one small tradition of reflection and laughter brought an entire department closer together.
And I’ve felt it too — the uncomfortable but necessary stretch of learning to celebrate myself out loud, especially in a new season of building something from scratch.
Because celebration isn’t fluff. It’s fuel.
It strengthens confidence, builds culture, and reminds us of the impact we’re already making — even when the work feels never-ending.
So today, we’re talking about what happens when we stop rushing past our wins and start honoring them — out loud, unapologetically, and together.
Impact of a Celebration Story
My department has this wonderful tradition.
Every December, during our final meeting of the year, the chief would create a slideshow — sounds boring on the surface, but this was a highlight reel of all the cool, funny, meaningful things that had happened that year.
People loved it.
It was rejuvenating. It brought laughter, pride, and connection across every corner of pediatrics — from the clinic to the hospital, from the NICU to the inpatient ward, from teen doctors to newborn doctors.
It became so beloved that people started planning for it all throughout the year.
They’d take photos, send them to the chief, or say things like, “That’s slideshow-worthy!” whenever something funny or heartwarming happened. Reflecting in the moment how special the moment truly was.
And the impact went far beyond that one hour of celebration at the end of the year.
It reminded everyone how far we’d come together.
It showcased what a leader can build when they choose to celebrate instead of simply evaluate.
That tradition taught me something I didn’t realize I’d need later — how vital celebration really is, both for teams and for the leaders who guide them.
Because when we make space for celebration, the benefits ripple out in ways we often don’t see right away.
So let’s talk about the other benefits of celebrating oneself:
Clearer Focus on Progress
Celebration helps us focus on progress.
It forces us to pause — to notice how far we’ve come, not just how far we still have to go.
I’ve started weaving this into my own weekly rhythm. On Sunday nights, I set aside an hour to review the week ahead and name my top priorities. Then, on Friday, I look back — not at what’s unfinished, but at what is.
Even small wins count. Those baby steps are what pulled me out of burnout, and they’re what’s helping me build a business right now.
If I’d understood that sooner as a hospital leader, I might have enjoyed the journey a little more — instead of sprinting toward the next finish line.
Progress feels clearer when you give yourself permission to see it.
Greater Confidence in Leadership
And celebration builds confidence — not the loud kind, but the grounded kind.
When you acknowledge your wins, you reinforce your own competence. You remind yourself you belong at the table.
And confidence is contagious.
When a leader owns her growth out loud, her team feels safer to stretch and grow too. People trust leaders who can recognize their own progress without apology.
Stronger Team Culture
It also shapes culture.
When we celebrate ourselves, we normalize self-recognition for everyone else.
It tells the team: it’s okay to feel proud.
In medicine, we’re excellent at praising the group effort — but sometimes hesitant to highlight our individual role. Yet doing so clears space for others to do the same.
And that shared permission is one small but mighty antidote to burn out.
Increased Visibility and Opportunities
Another ripple: visibility.
When you share what you’ve accomplished — inside your organization or out in the world — you put your work in front of people who can amplify it.
That visibility opens doors to new projects, leadership roles, and collaborations that might never appear otherwise.
It’s not bragging; it’s simply helping others see where your strengths can make a difference.
Personal Story
I’ve been relearning this lesson firsthand as I build my coaching and consulting business.
When I started Women MD Leaders, I wanted to give physicians the kind of support I couldn’t find when I was a new leader — or later, when burnout hit hard.
But I quickly realized something: if I don’t celebrate and share what I’m doing — the milestones, the podcast launch, the certifications — no one will even know this resource exists.
And when I do celebrate, amazing things happen. Opportunities open. Conversations start. Someone else says, “I needed to hear that.”
Celebration isn’t just about me. It creates connection.
It signals what’s possible for others, too.
Reduced Burnout Risk
And perhaps the most important reason to celebrate: it protects our energy.
When we pause to acknowledge what went right, we shift our brain chemistry toward gratitude and motivation.
That brief moment of appreciation quiets the “what’s next?” loop — the one that keeps us running but rarely fulfilled.
Celebration gives the mind a chance to rest in accomplishment before reaching again.
It changes the lens we see our world through — and that shift can be transformative.
Stronger Narrative of Impact
Finally, every celebration helps us craft our leadership story.
Each time we name a win, we strengthen the narrative of who we are becoming.
That story becomes a resource — for negotiating, mentoring, inspiring, and leading with clarity.
The story of our impact isn’t written all at once. It’s written in the small acknowledgments along the way.
Reflection
So maybe celebration isn’t something extra.
Maybe it’s the connective tissue between who we were and who we’re becoming.
Pause this week and ask yourself:
- What went well?
- What did I do that deserves to be named, out loud?
Because when women physicians celebrate themselves, they don’t just shine a light on their own success —
they light the path for everyone who’s watching, wondering if they’re allowed to do the same.
So if this episode sparked something for you, share it — on social, with your colleagues, or in your next team huddle.
Let’s start a movement of women physicians who normalize pride, progress, and joy in leadership.
Subscribe to the Women MD Leaders Podcast so you don’t miss what’s next — and if you’re ready to take this work deeper, you can find resources and coaching at WomenMDLeaders.com.
I’m Dr. Stephanie Yamout — thank you for listening, and for leading with heart.