The recognition game that celebrates every team member's unique strengths

Game Parameters

Duration	Players	Setting	Goal
15-30 minutes	5-50 people	In-person, Virtual, or Hybrid	Build positive team culture, recognize unique contributions, boost morale through fun labels

The Superlatives Game transforms traditional recognition into an engaging, inclusive icebreaker that celebrates what makes each team member uniquely valuable. Inspired by yearbook-style awards but designed for professional and social settings, this recognition activity creates a culture of appreciation while maintaining a lighthearted, fun atmosphere. Whether you're building a new team, energizing a remote meeting, or celebrating team achievements, superlatives deliver meaningful recognition wrapped in entertainment.

The game's power lies in its dual nature: it's simultaneously a morale booster and a team-building exercise. By assigning fun, positive labels to team members—"Most Likely to Brighten Your Day," "Best Problem Solver," "Coffee Connoisseur"—you create moments of recognition that people remember long after the session ends. Unlike generic appreciation exercises, superlatives are specific, personal, and often humorous, making recognition feel authentic rather than obligatory.

What Are Superlatives? Understanding This Recognition Format {#what-are-superlatives}

Superlatives are descriptive awards or titles that highlight a specific quality, characteristic, or behavior that makes someone stand out. The term originates from yearbook traditions where graduating classes voted on categories like "Most Athletic," "Class Clown," or "Most Likely to Succeed." In modern team settings, superlatives have evolved into a powerful recognition tool that:

• Celebrates diverse strengths: Every team member receives recognition for something unique
• Creates positive labels: Fun titles that highlight contributions without formal performance pressure
• Builds group identity: Shared experience of recognition that strengthens team bonds
• Generates inclusive participation: Unlike competitive awards, superlatives recognize different types of excellence

The workplace and team-building adaptations of superlatives maintain the playful spirit while focusing on professional strengths, personality traits, work habits, and team contributions. The best superlatives feel personal and earned rather than generic or arbitrary.

💡 Key Distinction: Unlike traditional awards that create winners and losers, superlatives create a category for everyone. There's no competition—just recognition of what makes each person special.

Why the Superlatives Game Works: The Science of Recognition

The Superlatives Game succeeds because it addresses fundamental human needs for belonging, recognition, and positive identity within groups. Research in organizational psychology demonstrates that specific, public recognition increases employee engagement by up to 40% and significantly improves team cohesion.

The Psychology of Positive Labeling

When you assign someone a superlative like "Best Team Cheerleader" or "Most Innovative Thinker," you're engaging several powerful psychological mechanisms:

Identity Reinforcement: People incorporate positive labels into their self-concept. When teammates recognize you as "Most Organized," you're more likely to live up to that identity, creating a positive reinforcement loop.

Social Proof and Belonging: Public recognition signals to the entire group that this person's contributions are valued. This validation strengthens the recipient's sense of belonging and commitment to the team.

Specificity Creates Authenticity: Generic praise ("good job") feels hollow. Specific superlatives ("Most Likely to Find the Perfect GIF for Any Situation") feel personal and genuine, creating stronger emotional impact.

Building Team Culture Through Shared Recognition

The Superlatives Game creates what organizational behaviorists call "shared positive experience." When the entire team participates in recognizing each member's unique qualities, several beneficial dynamics emerge:

• Reciprocal appreciation: Giving recognition makes people more likely to appreciate others
• Attention equity: Everyone receives focused positive attention from the group
• Memory anchoring: Fun, specific superlatives create memorable associations with team members
• Psychological safety: Playful recognition reduces formal hierarchy and encourages openness

📊 Research Insight: Teams that regularly engage in peer recognition activities report 31% lower turnover rates and 27% higher job satisfaction scores compared to teams relying solely on manager-driven recognition.

How to Play the Superlatives Game: Complete Step-by-Step Guide {#how-to-play}

Step 1: Choose Your Format (5 minutes)

Decide whether you'll use nomination-based (team votes on who gets each award), facilitator-assigned (leader determines awards based on observation), or hybrid (combination of both) approaches. Each has distinct advantages:

Nomination-Based: Most democratic and participatory. Team members vote on who deserves each superlative. Best for established teams with mutual familiarity.

Facilitator-Assigned: Faster and works for newer teams. Leader assigns superlatives based on observations from meetings, projects, or interactions. Ensures everyone receives thoughtful recognition.

Hybrid Approach: Team nominates in some categories; facilitator fills gaps to ensure everyone receives at least one award. Balances participation with inclusion guarantee.

🎯 Professional Tip: For teams with fewer than 10 members, aim for each person to receive 2-3 superlatives. For larger teams, ensure everyone gets at least one meaningful award.

Step 2: Select Your Categories (5 minutes)

Choose 10-20 superlative categories that match your team's culture, inside jokes, and actual observed behaviors. Mix different types:

Professional Strengths:

• Best Problem Solver
• Most Innovative Thinker
• Master Communicator
• Detail Detective

Personality Traits:

• Most Optimistic
• Best Sense of Humor
• Calmest Under Pressure
• Most Enthusiastic

Team Dynamics:

• Best Team Cheerleader
• Meeting MVP
• Culture Champion
• Connection Builder

Fun & Quirky:

• Coffee Expert
• Best Plant Parent
• GIF Master
• Most Likely to Have Seen That Movie

See our complete list of 100+ categories below for comprehensive inspiration.

Step 3: Conduct Voting or Selection (5-10 minutes)

For Nomination-Based Format:

Create a voting mechanism appropriate to your setting:

In-Person: Use paper ballots, sticky notes, or show of hands for each category. For larger groups, pre-select a subset of categories to keep timing manageable.

Virtual: Leverage polling tools (Slido, Poll Everywhere, Zoom polls) or collaborative documents where people can type names. Anonymous voting often yields more honest results.

Hybrid: Combine in-person discussion with digital voting tools that remote participants can access simultaneously.

💡 Facilitator Insight: For nomination-based formats, explicitly state that self-voting is allowed. Some team members won't nominate themselves even when they're the obvious choice, creating awkward silences.

For Facilitator-Assigned Format:

Prepare your awards in advance by:

1. Listing all team members
2. Noting 2-3 distinctive qualities for each person
3. Matching those qualities to appropriate superlative categories
4. Ensuring positive, specific recognition for everyone

Step 4: The Reveal Ceremony (10-15 minutes)

Transform the announcement into a mini-celebration rather than a simple list reading. Model this after award shows:

Build Anticipation: Read the category description before naming the winner. "Our next award goes to someone who never fails to bring energy and positivity to every meeting..."

Allow Reactions: Pause after each announcement for applause, cheers, or reactions. In virtual settings, use reaction emojis or unmute for applause.

Invite Brief Acceptance: Give recipients 15-30 seconds to respond if they wish—acceptance speeches, reactions, or simply a wave. This personalizes the moment.

Present Certificates: If using physical or digital certificates, present them with ceremony. Screen-share digital certificates in virtual settings.

Capture the Moment: Take photos of recipients with their awards (or screenshots in virtual settings). These become team memory artifacts.

🌟 Engagement Amplifier: Have a "bonus round" where team members can shout out additional superlatives that weren't on the official list. This organic recognition often generates the most laughter and connection.

Step 5: Display and Celebrate (Ongoing)

Extend the impact beyond the session:

Physical Display: Post printed certificates on a team bulletin board, office wall, or in common areas where they remain visible.

Digital Showcase: Create a shared document, Slack channel, or team site section displaying all superlatives with recipient names and photos.

Recurring Reference: Encourage lighthearted references to superlatives in future interactions. "Let's ask Sarah—she's our Best Problem Solver."

Annual Tradition: Make superlatives an annual or quarterly tradition, allowing categories and recipients to evolve with the team.

Complete Category Library: 100+ Superlative Award Ideas {#categories}

Professional Excellence Categories

Leadership & Initiative:

• Natural Born Leader
• Best Mentor
• Initiative Champion
• Project Hero
• Change Agent
• Strategic Visionary
• Most Likely to Volunteer First

Problem-Solving & Innovation:

• Best Problem Solver
• Most Creative Thinker
• Innovation Champion
• Master Troubleshooter
• Outside-the-Box Thinker
• Solution Finder
• Most Likely to Hack a Better Process

Communication & Collaboration:

• Master Communicator
• Best Collaborator
• Meeting Facilitator Extraordinaire
• Presentation Pro
• Active Listener Award
• Feedback Champion
• Bridge Builder

Quality & Precision:

• Detail Detective
• Quality Guardian
• Most Thorough
• Accuracy Expert
• Perfectionist (in the best way)
• Proofreading Pro
• Excellence Standard-Bearer

Productivity & Efficiency:

• Productivity Machine
• Time Management Master
• Deadline Crusher
• Efficiency Expert
• Task Completion Champion
• Most Organized Human
• Gets-It-Done Award

Personality & Character Categories

Positivity & Energy:

• Most Optimistic
• Best Cheerleader
• Energy Bringer
• Mood Lifter
• Smile Generator
• Positivity Spreader
• Most Likely to Brighten Your Day

Humor & Fun:

• Best Sense of Humor
• Office Comedian
• Pun Master
• Meme Connoisseur
• GIF Expert
• Most Likely to Make You Laugh
• Joke Teller Supreme

Calm & Stability:

• Calmest Under Pressure
• Voice of Reason
• Zen Master
• Steady Eddie Award
• Unflappable Champion
• Most Level-Headed
• Crisis Calm-Down Expert

Authenticity & Uniqueness:

• Most Genuine
• Authenticity Award
• True to Themselves
• Unique Perspective Champion
• Individual Style Icon
• Most Original
• Marches to Their Own Drum

Team Dynamics Categories

Support & Care:

• Best Team Cheerleader
• Most Supportive
• Encouragement Expert
• Helper Hero
• First to Offer Help
• Caretaker Champion
• Team Mom/Dad Award

Social Connection:

• Best Conversationalist
• Social Butterfly
• Connection Builder
• Team Glue
• Culture Champion
• Most Approachable
• Makes Everyone Feel Welcome

Reliability & Trust:

• Most Dependable
• Rock of the Team
• Always There When Needed
• Trust Anchor
• Consistent Champion
• Follow-Through Expert
• You Can Count On Them Award

Fun & Quirky Categories

Food & Beverage:

• Coffee Connoisseur
• Lunch Spot Expert
• Snack Supplier
• Tea Aficionado
• Most Likely to Know the Best Restaurant
• Kitchen Cleanup Hero
• Breakfast Champion

Pop Culture & Interests:

• Movie Encyclopedia
• Music Curator
• Sports Expert
• Book Recommender
• Podcast Guru
• Trivia Master
• Most Likely to Get That Reference

Work Habits & Quirks:

• Early Bird Champion
• Night Owl Award
• Most Likely to Be in the Office First/Last
• Calendar Master
• Emoji Expert
• Best Workspace Setup
• Most Unique Background (for remote teams)

Tech & Tools:

• Tech Wizard
• Troubleshooting Hero
• Keyboard Shortcut Master
• Tool Finder
• Most Likely to Know That Feature
• Digital Native Award
• IT Savior

Social & Lifestyle Categories

Adventure & Exploration:

• Most Adventurous
• Travel Expert
• Weekend Warrior
• Most Likely to Try Something New
• Exploration Champion
• Risk Taker (in the best way)
• Adventure Seeker

Hobbies & Skills:

• Renaissance Person
• Hidden Talent Champion
• Most Interesting Hobby
• Skill Collector
• Jack of All Trades
• Master of [Specific Skill]
• Most Likely to Know How to Do That

Style & Presence:

• Best Dressed
• Fashion Forward
• Style Icon
• Accessory Expert
• Most Likely to Start a Trend
• Signature Look Champion
• Personal Brand Master

Strategic Variations: Adapting Superlatives for Different Contexts {#variations}

Self-Nomination Variation

Allow team members to self-nominate for categories where they feel they excel. This variation:

• Empowers introverts who might not be as visible
• Uncovers hidden talents the team doesn't know about
• Creates opportunity for self-advocacy practice
• Works especially well for newer teams building familiarity

Implementation: Present 15-20 categories. Ask each person to privately submit 2-3 categories they feel represent them. Facilitator reviews submissions and assigns awards, handling duplicates by creating "tie" awards or refining categories.

Awards Ceremony Format

Transform superlatives into a full-scale recognition event:

1. Pre-Event Nomination Period: Two weeks before, open nominations for all categories
2. Ballot Creation: Compile top nominees for each category
3. Final Voting: Team votes from nominee shortlist
4. Ceremony Production: Create an actual awards ceremony with:
   • Host/MC
   • Category reveal with suspenseful pauses
   • Physical certificates or trophies
   • Acceptance speeches
   • Photo opportunities
   • Celebration refreshments

This variation works brilliantly for:

• Year-end team celebrations
• Milestone achievements
• Team anniversaries
• Large group gatherings (20+ people)

Department vs. Department Competition

For multi-team organizations, create friendly competition:

Cross-Department Categories:

• Most Helpful to Other Teams
• Best Cross-Functional Collaborator
• Bridge-Builder Award
• Organization Connector

Parallel Categories: Each department gives out the same core superlatives, then teams compare and celebrate together. This builds inter-team familiarity while maintaining team identity.

Monthly or Quarterly Rotating Awards

Instead of one-time recognition, create rotating superlatives:

How It Works:

• Select 5-10 categories to remain active each month/quarter
• Nominate and announce winners regularly
• Create a "Hall of Fame" tracking who's won what over time
• Encourage different recipients each cycle to spread recognition

Benefits:

• Sustained recognition culture rather than one-off event
• Allows people to win multiple times for consistent behavior
• Creates anticipation and ongoing engagement
• Tracks changing team dynamics and growth

Skills Showcase Superlatives

Focus specifically on professional capabilities:

Implementation Steps:

1. Identify 15-20 key skills valuable to your team
2. Create superlative categories around each skill
3. Assign awards based on observed demonstrations
4. Use as foundation for peer learning opportunities

Example Categories:

• Presentation Master → Leads a lunch-and-learn on presentation skills
• Data Visualization Expert → Teaches others their charting techniques
• Meeting Facilitation Pro → Shares their facilitation framework

This variation doubles as professional development identification and peer learning matchmaking.

Complete Preparation Checklist {#preparation}

1 Week Before

• Decide on format: nomination-based, facilitator-assigned, or hybrid
• Select 10-20 categories matching your team culture
• Determine if voting will be anonymous or public
• Create voting mechanism (ballots, digital tools, etc.)
• Design certificate template or secure access to generator
• Schedule 15-30 minute session on team calendar
• Send calendar invitation with brief explanation

3 Days Before

• Send reminder email with overview of the activity
• If nomination-based, open voting period with clear deadline
• For virtual sessions, test screen-sharing and any digital tools
• Prepare facilitator notes with category descriptions
• Review team roster to ensure complete coverage

1 Day Before

• Close voting if applicable and tally results
• Address any ties by creating co-winner categories
• Generate all certificates with recipient names
• Prepare backup categories for anyone who didn't receive votes
• Test any presentation technology
• Create a reveal order (build energy throughout, not front-loaded)

Day Of

• Set up space with appropriate energy (music, lighting, arrangement)
• Have certificates accessible (printed or ready to screen-share)
• Prepare camera or screenshot capability for capturing moments
• Queue up any presentation materials
• Set positive, celebratory tone from the start
• Have backup categories ready for spontaneous additions

After the Event

• Distribute certificates to all recipients
• Take group photo with awards (in-person) or create digital gallery
• Post certificates/photos in team communication channels
• Send thank-you message acknowledging everyone's participation
• Gather feedback on categories and format for future iterations
• Document what worked well for next time

Virtual Adaptations: Running Superlatives in Remote Settings {#virtual}

Superlatives translate exceptionally well to virtual environments with strategic adaptations that maintain engagement and ceremony.

Pre-Session Digital Voting

Tools That Work Well:

• Google Forms with multiple choice questions
• Slido or Poll Everywhere for live polling
• Shared spreadsheet with voting columns
• Slack polls for informal teams
• Dedicated survey platforms (SurveyMonkey, Typeform)

Setup Process:

1. Create one question per category
2. List all team members as options (allow self-voting)
3. Send link 48 hours before session with deadline
4. Close voting 2 hours before reveal to tally results
5. Generate certificates with winner names pre-loaded

Live Virtual Ceremony Techniques

Maximize Engagement:

Visual Presentation: Create slides for each category with:

• Category name and description
• Suspenseful "And the award goes to..." moment
• Winner's name with their video tile highlighted
• Display of their certificate

Participant Spotlighting: Most video platforms allow "spotlighting" or "pinning." Spotlight the winner's video when announcing their award, making them the visual focus.

Reaction Encouragement: Explicitly prompt reactions after each award:

• "Everyone unmute to applaud!"
• "Drop celebration emojis in chat!"
• "React with 👏 if you voted for them!"

Screenshot Opportunities: Pause after each award for recipients to screenshot themselves being recognized. These become shareable celebration artifacts.

🎮 Virtual Best Practice: Use breakout rooms for voting discussion if desired. Assign categories to rooms where groups debate and reach consensus before returning to vote.

Digital Certificate Delivery

Immediate Delivery Methods:

• Screen-share each certificate during announcement
• Email certificates individually immediately after reveal
• Post all certificates in dedicated Slack/Teams channel
• Create shared photo album or drive folder with all awards

Enhanced Digital Certificates:

• Include winner's headshot or profile photo
• Add team logo and branding
• Include date and team name for memory value
• Make them suitable for LinkedIn posting or email signatures

Maintaining Energy in Virtual Format

Pacing Strategies:

• Keep individual awards under 60 seconds each
• Build in 2-minute break every 6-8 awards for larger teams
• Vary facilitator energy and commentary between awards
• Invite 15-second acceptance speeches from recipients
• Use music between categories to maintain energy

Engagement Checkpoints:

• Ask recipients to briefly share their reaction
• Invite team to share favorite moments in chat
• Conduct mini-polls on "most surprising" or "most accurate" awards
• Create spontaneous bonus categories based on chat commentary

Certificate Generator Tool {#generator}

Create professional, personalized superlative award certificates instantly with our built-in generator. Customize recipient names, categories, team names, and dates to generate print-ready or digital certificates.

🛠️ Tool Integration Note: [Interactive certificate generator component would be embedded here, allowing users to input details and generate downloadable certificates]

Generator Features:

• 100+ pre-written category templates
• Custom category creation
• Multiple design themes (professional, playful, yearbook-style)
• Instant PDF download or PNG export
• Bulk generation for entire team
• Logo upload for branded certificates

Expert Facilitation Tips for Maximum Impact {#tips}

Ensuring Inclusive Recognition

The Everyone-Wins Principle: The cardinal rule of superlatives is that everyone receives at least one meaningful award. This requires intentional planning:

Pre-Work Strategy:

1. List all team members
2. Note 2-3 distinctive qualities for each
3. Create categories that match those qualities
4. Have 3-5 backup categories ready for gaps

Real-Time Adjustment: If voting leaves someone out, facilitators must add a spontaneous, genuine category. Examples:

• "Most Underappreciated Superpower" for overlooked contributors
• "Future [Specific Skill] Champion" for emerging strengths
• "Most Consistently Excellent" for solid performers without flashy traits

🌟 Gold Standard Practice: For teams under 15 people, aim for each person to receive 2-3 superlatives. This abundance mindset prevents anyone from feeling like an afterthought.

Balancing Humor with Respect

Superlatives should be fun but never mean-spirited or embarrassing. Establish clear boundaries:

Green Zone (Encouraged):

• Celebrating quirks people embrace
• Highlighting positive habits
• Referencing shared inside jokes affectionately
• Funny but fundamentally complimentary awards

Red Zone (Avoid):

• Physical appearance commentary (unless purely positive)
• Personal life or relationship references
• Anything the person might find embarrassing
• "Funny" criticisms disguised as awards
• Categories based on negative traits

Test Question: Would the recipient genuinely smile and feel good receiving this award in front of the entire team? If there's any doubt, choose a different category.

Reading the Room

Pay attention to recipient reactions:

Positive Signals: Smiling, laughing, enthusiastic acceptance, wanting to share more Response: Amplify with follow-up questions, extended applause, requests for stories

Neutral/Uncomfortable Signals: Forced smile, quick dismissal, visible awkwardness Response: Move quickly to next award, make mental note to check in privately later, adjust category style for remaining awards

High-Energy Reaction: Huge celebration, team erupts with enthusiasm Response: Lean into it, create callback opportunities, reference this moment later

Maximizing Ceremony Impact

Theatrical Elements That Work:

• Drumroll sounds or anticipatory music before reveals
• Host/facilitator commentary building suspense
• Invitation for "acceptance speeches" (optional, brief)
• Group countdowns: "3, 2, 1... the award goes to..."
• Winner spotlighting (video highlighting, standing recognition)

Strategic Ordering:

• Start with high-energy, obvious crowd-pleasers to set tone
• Avoid putting least-familiar team members first
• Build to crescendos, don't front-load excitement
• Save particularly meaningful or surprising awards for near the end
• End with an inclusive award celebrating the whole team

📊 Facilitation Data: Sessions where facilitators invest in theatrical presentation generate 73% higher participant satisfaction scores and 2.4x more post-event conversations about the awards compared to simple list readings.

Creating Lasting Impact

Memory Anchoring Techniques:

Visual Documentation: Take photos or screenshots of every recipient with their award. Post these in team channels or shared drives where they remain visible.

Ongoing Reference: Encourage casual references to superlatives in future team interactions. "Let's get Sarah's input—she's our Detail Detective."

Anniversary Callbacks: When repeating superlatives in future periods, reference previous winners. "Last quarter's Coffee Connoisseur was Jake. Who's earned that title this quarter?"

Integration with Recognition Programs: Incorporate superlatives into formal recognition systems. Monthly superlative winners might be featured in company newsletters, mentioned in team meetings, or receive small tokens (gift cards, extra break time, special parking spots).

Troubleshooting Common Challenges {#troubleshooting}

Challenge: Someone Doesn't Receive Any Votes

Solution Strategy:

1. Have backup categories prepared specifically for this scenario
2. Quickly create an authentic, specific category highlighting something they actually do well
3. Present it as "facilitator's choice" award if needed
4. Ensure it's substantive, not a "participation trophy"

Emergency Categories for Gaps:

• Most Underappreciated Contributor
• Quiet Powerhouse Award
• Consistent Excellence Champion
• Future [Specific Skill] Star
• Best [Specific Thing They Actually Do]

💡 Prevention: For small teams, use facilitator-assigned format with voting as input rather than determinative. This guarantees inclusive coverage.

Challenge: Voting Creates Hurt Feelings

Prevention:

• Set expectations upfront that categories celebrate different strengths
• Use anonymous voting to reduce social pressure
• Facilitator review votes before reveal to spot potential issues
• Have backup categories ready to ensure everyone wins something

Remediation:

• Check in privately with anyone who seemed disappointed
• Acknowledge that voting doesn't capture all contributions
• Create follow-up recognition opportunities specifically for them
• Adjust format to facilitator-assigned for future iterations

Challenge: Categories Feel Generic or Meaningless

Root Cause: Awards lack specificity or don't connect to observed behaviors.

Solution:

• Add descriptive context when announcing: "Sarah wins Best Problem Solver because she's the one who figured out our scheduling conflict last month and created the solution everyone now uses."
• Base categories on actual team experiences and inside knowledge
• Avoid one-size-fits-all category lists from generic sources
• Customize categories to reflect your team's specific work and culture

Challenge: Activity Drags or Loses Energy

Problem: Too many categories, too slow pacing, or insufficient variety.

Solutions:

• Limit to 10-15 categories for teams under 20 people
• Use faster reveal pacing (30-45 seconds per award max)
• Add music or sound effects between reveals
• Create mini-breaks every 5-6 awards with team reactions or commentary
• Alternate between different category types (professional, funny, personality)

Challenge: Remote Participants Feel Less Engaged

Virtual-Specific Solutions:

• Spotlight remote winners' video tiles prominently
• Call on remote participants specifically for reactions
• Screen-share certificates with extra emphasis for remote recipients
• Use chat actively for remote participants to contribute commentary
• Send certificates immediately to remote workers while in-person receive physical copies

Challenge: New Team Members Feel Left Out

Mitigation Strategies:

• Create categories based on quick-to-observe traits: "Best Onboarding Questions," "Fastest Learner," "Most Thoughtful Introductions"
• Pair superlatives with brief explanations so new members understand context
• Use inclusive categories not requiring long history: "Future [Skill] Champion"
• Consider running abbreviated superlatives focused specifically on newer members

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) {#faq}

How many superlative categories should we include?

For teams of 5-10 people, aim for 15-20 categories so everyone receives 2-3 awards. For teams of 11-25 people, use 20-30 categories for broader coverage. Larger teams (25+) can use 30-40 categories or implement a nomination threshold where you need multiple votes to win.

Should superlatives be anonymous or public?

Anonymous voting reduces social pressure and often produces more honest results, especially regarding popularity-adjacent categories. Public voting (show of hands, verbal nominations) creates more immediate energy and discussion. Hybrid approach works well: anonymous voting followed by public celebration of results.

What if someone wins multiple categories?

Embrace it! This indicates someone with multiple standout qualities. However, ensure balance—if one person is sweeping many awards, gently redirect some voting toward recognizing other team members to maintain inclusive spirit.

How do we handle ties?

Create co-winner awards. Ties often indicate legitimate shared excellence in that category. Present both names together and celebrate the tie as evidence of strong team talent in that area.

Can superlatives work for very small teams (3-5 people)?

Yes! Focus on multiple awards per person (3-5 each) and use more specific, nuanced categories. Small teams can have deeper conversations about why each person earned each award, creating richer recognition.

Should we let people vote for themselves?

Generally yes, especially for lesser-known strengths or newer team members. Self-voting allows people to advocate for recognition they deserve but might not receive otherwise. Frame it as "nominate yourself if you feel you excel in this category."

What about remote vs. in-person hybrid situations?

Use digital voting tools accessible to everyone, conduct reveal ceremony over video conference with all participants visible, deliver digital certificates to remote workers simultaneously with physical ones to in-person team members, and explicitly call on remote participants for reactions and acceptance speeches.

How often should we do superlatives?

Quarterly superlatives work well for most teams—frequent enough to maintain recognition culture but spaced enough to allow new achievements. Annual superlatives (end-of-year) work for larger organizations. Monthly superlatives suit smaller, fast-moving teams with high interaction frequency.

What if our team culture is very serious or formal?

Adapt categories to be more professional and achievement-focused rather than quirky or funny. Use titles like "Excellence in [Specific Skill]," "Outstanding [Contribution Type]," and "Master of [Professional Competency]." The recognition principle works across cultural contexts when category style matches team norms.

How do we handle sensitive situations or someone who might not want recognition?

Check in with introverted or private team members beforehand. Offer option to receive recognition privately if public attention is uncomfortable. Never force acceptance speeches. Some people prefer simple acknowledgment without extended spotlight.

Getting Started: Your First Superlatives Session {#getting-started}

Ready to bring superlatives to your team? Follow this streamlined implementation path for a successful first session:

Week 1: Planning and Preparation

Day 1-2: Design Your Approach

• Choose your format (nomination vs. facilitator-assigned)
• Select 15-20 categories from our comprehensive list
• Customize 3-5 categories specific to your team's inside jokes or dynamics
• Decide on certificate style (use our generator or design custom)

Day 3-4: Technical Setup

• Create voting mechanism if using nominations (Google Form, poll, etc.)
• Generate or design certificate template
• Draft announcement email explaining the activity
• Prepare any presentation materials (slides, etc.)

Day 5-7: Communication and Voting

• Send team announcement explaining superlatives and generating excitement
• Open voting period if using nominations (give 48 hours)
• Send reminder 24 hours before voting closes
• Tally results and prepare for reveal

Day of Event: Execution

Pre-Session (30 minutes before):

• Review all recipients and categories for balance
• Generate all certificates with names
• Test presentation technology
• Prepare facilitator notes with category descriptions

During Session (15-30 minutes):

• Open with enthusiasm and explain the purpose
• Present each award with build-up and ceremony
• Allow time for reactions and brief acceptance
• Capture photos/screenshots of recipients
• Close with collective celebration

Post-Session (within 24 hours):

• Distribute all certificates
• Post photos in team channels
• Send thank-you message to team
• Gather informal feedback
• Document lessons learned for next iteration

Building Long-Term Recognition Culture

Month 1: Run initial superlatives session, gather feedback, celebrate wins

Month 2-3: Reference superlatives casually in team interactions, building them into team language

Quarter 2: Run second session with evolved categories based on new team dynamics and feedback

Ongoing: Incorporate superlatives into quarterly or annual team traditions, creating consistency and anticipation

✅ Success Indicator: You know superlatives are working when team members reference awards organically in conversation, request specific categories for next time, and new team members ask about past superlatives they've heard referenced.

Transform Your Team Culture Through Recognition

The Superlatives Game represents recognition reimagined—where appreciation feels natural rather than forced, inclusive rather than exclusive, and memorable rather than generic. By celebrating the specific qualities that make each team member uniquely valuable, you create a culture where people feel genuinely seen and appreciated.

The beauty of superlatives lies in their versatility. Whether you're building psychological safety in a new team, re-energizing a remote workforce, celebrating achievements at year-end, or simply injecting fun into a regular meeting, superlatives deliver consistent results. The combination of strategic structure (ensuring everyone wins), creative flexibility (categories can be adapted infinitely), and emotional resonance (specific, personal recognition) makes this activity a cornerstone team-building tool.

Beyond the immediate engagement and morale boost, superlatives create lasting impact through positive identity reinforcement, strengthened team bonds, and shared language of appreciation. Teams that embrace regular recognition through superlatives report higher satisfaction, stronger collaboration, and more positive workplace culture.

Ready to Launch Your Recognition Game?

✅ Generate instant certificates with our built-in certificate maker ✅ Browse 100+ category ideas organized by type and context ✅ Master facilitation techniques with our expert tips section ✅ Explore more team-building activities in our complete game collection

Start your next team gathering with confidence, armed with proven categories, strategic variations, and facilitation expertise that transforms simple awards into meaningful moments of connection. Create a culture where recognition is abundant, specific, and genuinely appreciated—one superlative at a time.