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These are the winners of the 2022 Teamleader Value Awards

Every year, a vote is held among Teamleader employees to pick the five colleagues who most exemplify our company values. This year, we have six winners instead of five, due to an ex aequo. Also, for the first time ever, a nominee managed to secure a second value award during their Teamleader career. You can't win them all, or can you? Meet the rightful victors, each one of them worth their dedication in gold.

Make It Happen: Ginger

Blog Ginger

About the value

This means we get things done, we deliver on our promise. Moreover, we do everything with energy and passion. We want our customers to rely on us, just as we can rely on co-workers to take ownership. Simple as that!

About Ginger

Ginger joined Teamleader in December 2020 as Customer Success Manager. Since day one, she has been known for her direct, spontaneous approach. Colleagues describe her as 'a clear, fast and flawless communicator'.

Congratulations, Ginger! What does this award mean to you?

This award means a lot to me! A little over a year ago I didn’t know a thing about software. Coming from hospitality pre-covid it was quite hard to get into the world of software. So it is an enormous self-confidence boost. So to me, this Make It Happen award means perseverance, adaptability and taking ownership.

What is your number one learning from 2021?

It is very important to not forget the social aspect of working whilst working remotely. Make sure to have a coffee/printer/kitchen chat - everyone is trying to survive a pandemic, so share it with each other!

Do you think recognition of excellence at work is important? Why?

Absolutely, recognised employees are happy employees. :-) Celebrating achievements is important. Especially in times of COVID and working from home, we need to find as many ways as possible to connect. An online fold-up with an award show is a great example!

If you could win one other award − any award − in your lifetime, which one would it be? (Dare to dream big.)

A Guinness Book of World Records award for winning the most awards. ;-)

Speak the Same Language: Maxime

Blog Maxime

About the value

At Teamleader, we listen carefully and try to put ourselves in the shoes of the other person. We take a real interest in the needs of whoever’s on the other side, be it a customer or a colleague, so we can truly help them move forward. We aim to be as transparent as possible. We make sure the person on the other end fully understands what we mean.

About Maxime

Maxime has been working at Teamleader since August 2020. In less than 2 years time, he grew from Inside Sales to Sales Executive and now to Sales Coordinator. He's well-liked because he's always there to help. He's skilled at training Sales colleagues and making people laugh.

Kudos, Maxime! What does this award mean to you?

A LOT! It’s another great way to not only show appreciation but also recognition for the effort, time, and enthusiasm that we put into our work. On top of that, motivation. A reward, as fancy as it sounds, puts me mentally in a winning state of mind that will just keep me going harder for my job and motivate me to go that extra mile. Or 500 miles, as the famous song dictates.

What is your number one learning from 2021?

Communication. Clear communication about how I feel, how I am, how I’m doing, ... We’re all people and friends, and people should communicate their status so that others can help or take this into account when working together. There’s no such thing as oversharing.

Do you think recognition of excellence at work is important? Why?

YES! Excellence defines itself as performing at a level that is above average. It’s therefore not only logical but also a must, to acknowledge this. If you do not get that recognition, what’s keeping you from becoming average, right? We’ve just had numerous panels about growth, ambition, next steps... but if your excellence isn’t brought up for attention, you do not get the insights that will help you define that next step or growth opportunity.

If you could win one other award − any award − in your lifetime, which one would it be? (Dare to dream big.)

The Nobel Prize for helping others.

Choose Positivity: Benny

Blog Benny

About the value

At Teamleader, we aim to carry a positive vibe. We believe it’s fundamental - even self-evident - to be friendly and helpful in every interaction. It means being aware that working at a fast-paced tech company brings the necessary challenges. But a positive attitude goes a long way.

About Benny

Benny is a true Teamleader veteran. He joined back in 2012 as the company's very first employee. Needless to say he has a lot of experience under his belt. Colleagues say he's "approachable, engaged, and humble". A Teamleader ambassador in heart and soul!

Well-deserved, Benny! What does this award mean to you?

I was actually quite surprised with the nomination for this award, and obviously even more so when it turned out I won. Seems like I give off some kind of positive vibe then! Or maybe the #choosepositivity award is more of a command than a recognition, as in CHOOSE MORE POSITIVITY BENNY! All jokes aside, I'm very happy with the award. I'm always up for helping someone and I try to do it with a smile as much as possible.

What is your number one learning from 2021?

It's often the little things that make the most difference. As a company, we can do grand gestures like our Winter and Summer fold-up (and we like those!), but it's often just a quick check-in with your colleagues or grabbing a drink together that does the trick.

Do you think recognition of excellence at work is important? Why?

Absolutely! Who'd want to work day in, day out without some recognition for their work? That wouldn't be a very fulfilling or satisfying job. I don't think I'd have lasted as long without anyone telling me once in a while I did a good job. Or to tell me I could have done something differently of course. Giving and receiving feedback is at least as important.

If you could win one other award - any award - in your lifetime, which one would it be? (Dare to dream big.)

Barbara Dex Award, given annually to the "worst dressed" artist in the Eurovision Song Contest

Be a Lobster: Arnaud & Sirarpi

Blog Arnaud Sirarpi

About the value

To understand this Teamleader value, you need to understand the lobster metaphor first. For lobsters to grow, they need to shed their rigid shell and create a new one. ‘Being a lobster’ refers to being adaptable and keeping up with changes. It means having an open mind, seeing the opportunities instead of the barriers.

About Arnaud

Arnaud started working for Teamleader as a developer in October 2018. He recently took up the role of Front-End Lead. And with success. Colleagues say that he's super supportive and that he takes up a lot of tasks.

About Sirarpi

Sirarpi joined Teamleader in November 2019. She started as a Support Agent. In July 2021, she grew internally into the role of Customer Success Manager. Colleagues praise her for her terrific customer-oriented communication. They say she's a true communication expert.

Way to go, Arnaud & Sirarpi! What does this award mean to you?

Arnaud: This award is based on one of our coolest values -being a lobster-, so I’m super happy to have received it! We all have uncomfortable times in our lives that take determination to get through, but once we do get through it, it bears its fruits and we look back at it with satisfaction.

Sirarpi: I’ve never won anything in my life before - sad pause - so this award means a great deal to me! The Lobster Award stands for values that I greatly admire in other people: being able to let go of what you know and grow, step outside of your comfort zone and face uncertainty. It’s safe to say I’m very humbled to be recognized as a lobster myself, it’s one of the nicest compliments I could ever receive.

What is your number one learning from 2021?

Arnaud: It’s important to zoom out and take a look at the bigger picture. Having people whose sole focus is this goal, also enables other people to be reminded by it.

Sirarpi: That I’m very privileged. When the pandemic hit, the differences and barriers in our society became even clearer. This is when I realized I’m privileged in the sense that every day I can choose how I want to spend it. Of course, circumstances change and challenges come and go, but every single day I’m free to choose how to invest my time and energy. That’s huge, not everyone has this luxury! So for me specifically I decided to invest more time in going on hiking trips and the people I love, I also started volunteering in a very cool non-profit organization whose mission is to make STEM more inclusive. Shout-out to Ekoli vzw for taking me in and doing such amazing work!

Do you think recognition of excellence at work is important? Why?

Arnaud: For sure! It’s a big motivation booster for everyone involved, even for the people who don’t get a recognition of excellence, they can identify with other people achieving them and strive towards it as well. However, I do think it’s important to think really carefully about who’s receiving certain awards, so everyone gets to share a bit of the spotlight.

Sirarpi: 100% yes! For some, it might not be important to receive an appraisal for their hard work, for others, it can be very motivating. In both cases, I think it’s important to stop and recognize achievements. It boosts morale and most importantly it creates a culture where it’s easy to give compliments to each other. I’m very proud that here at Teamleader we are stimulated to give each other positive feedback all the time and celebrate each other's achievements.

If you could win one other award - any award - in your lifetime, which one would it be? (Dare to dream big.)

Arnaud: The ACM Turing Award, generally regarded as the Nobel Prize equivalent for Computer Science!

Sirarpi: Is there an award for being the most awkward at being a human being and still surviving somehow? Probably that one then!

Be Surprising: Astrid

Blog Astrid

About the value

At Teamleader, we aim to go beyond expectations. We want to positively surprise our customers and each other. Because being surprising brings a smile to people’s faces and it makes them feel valued.

About Astrid

Astrid joined the company in January 2019 as Office Manager. She was recently promoted to Employee Experience Manager. And this is already her second Value Award after winning the 'Make it Happen' award back in 2019! Colleagues clearly appreciate the surprising initiatives she comes up with time and again.

Hats off, Astrid! What does this award mean to you?

It’s a beautiful recognition of the work and effort I’ve put into my job. It’s the icing on top of the cake. So it makes me feel valued :-) and motivates me to continue my great work.

What is your number one learning from 2021?

That we’re a lot more resilient than we think. 2021 was a challenging year for lots of us. I realized this year that I can get through more than I’ve ever thought. There is always something I can do and you’re never alone.

Do you think recognition of excellence at work is important? Why?

I’m a big fan of recognition cause it’s fundamental in various ways. Like I said before it makes me feel valued, keeps me motivated and helps build a close relationship with the team.

If you could win one other award − any award − in your lifetime, which one would it be? (Dare to dream big.)

I’m already very happy with this one but if I could dream big I would make a difference in the world by winning the Nobel Prize for Peace. :-)

Time to win your own award!

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  • Your hard work is recognized
  • Open feedback is encouraged
  • Successes - small and big - are celebrated

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