Early in my career, I learned that end-of-year reviews carried a lot of weight, and with them came a lot of anxiety for me. As a Type-A “achiever” and “planner,” I always wanted to know what was ahead, but reviews felt unpredictable and out of my control. Would my manager remember the big initiative I led back in February? And how could I make their job easier when they had seven other reviews to write?
So, I created a way to manage what I could: a running “win list.” It was a simple document where I tracked accomplishments, moments I was proud of, and feedback I received—the big things where I knew I’d added significant value and gone above and beyond. Before my review, I’d share it with my manager as a reminder of my contributions.
That habit turned out to be more valuable than I expected. On tough days, rereading my list helped me refocus and regain motivation. It not only became proof that I was making an impact, it was also a reason to push toward the next “win.” (Shout out to my fellow achievers and “Gold” types: you know the joy of adding something to the list!) I also noticed my manager weaving examples from my win list into my review. It gave them specifics to highlight my growth and the areas where I was stretching myself.
As I moved into leadership, I realized this practice wasn’t just helpful for me―it could be transformative for my team, too―so I began encouraging them to create their own win lists. When I saw someone excel, I called it out in the moment:
- “Samantha, you did an excellent job rolling out the program strategy in a way the client could easily grasp. Add that to your win list—it shows your strategic thinking and client-first mindset.”
- Or when a participant wrote glowing feedback, I’d forward it to the team member: “Charlotte, this is a fantastic example of you exceeding expectations as a program manager. Add it to your win list!”
Over time, this habit has become part of our culture at Signature. In fact, our president and COO now asks for win lists ahead of our year-end reviews.
For me, it’s been a game-changer. It has shifted how I coach, how I encourage, and how I build trust. Leadership isn’t just about evaluating performance; it’s about recognizing gifts, listening to passions and goals, and weaving those into the story of someone’s growth. Calling out wins in the moment gives me a chance to champion my team, remind them of their strengths, and encourage them in the hard work they’re doing.
One of my favorite quotes sums it up perfectly:
“You know how you can tell if a person needs encouragement? If they’re breathing.”
―S. Truett Cathy
A win list may feel small, but it’s a simple, practical way to show our teams they’re seen, valued, and worth celebrating. It also ties recognition directly to reward.
It’s one thing to say, “Hey Charlotte, great job on that project, I heard client feedback was outstanding.”
It’s another to say, “Hey Charlotte, I saw how outstanding this feedback was, and I want to be sure you add this glowing comment to your win list so we can remember it at review time.”
Reviews connect to salary and bonuses, and that always has people’s attention. By linking recognition to the win list, it’s showing proactive investment in their success. It communicates, I want you to succeed, and I see the specific ways you’re doing it.
For me, that’s trust in action, and I’ve seen its effects last far beyond any review cycle.
About the Author
Kate Bryja: Vice President, Marketing and Sales Operations, Signature Leaders
Kate is a dynamic leader passionate about fostering meaningful connections and empowering others. She thrives on building smart, efficient processes and cultivating an environment where people feel supported, inspired, and equipped to succeed. Through her work at Signature Leaders, Kate drives strategic initiatives that elevate the brand, strengthen partnerships, and advance leadership development.
As Vice President of Marketing and Sales Operations, Kate fuels business growth by leading brand development, optimizing processes, and equipping the sales team for success. She played a pivotal role in launching the Signature Alumni Network, now a global community of 4,000+ leaders, and has led teams through streamlining operations, enhancing the Signature experience, and cultivating key partnerships. As a member of Signature’s Executive Leadership Team, she helps drive community engagement and ensures an exceptional experience for participants, alumni, and buyers.
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Georgia College & State University and remains actively involved as a Young Alumni Council member. Committed to investing in others, Kate volunteers with UpStreet (Kindergarten Kids) at church and serves on the Advisory Board for the Zeta Iota Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi.
Kate lives in Atlanta, GA, with her husband, Jim, and their dog, Bonnie.
