This year, I have the absolute privilege of being a judge for the Inspiring Workplaces Awards 2026
And it’s prompted me to reflect on the very first time I ever entered an award myself.
Very early on in my career, when I was working in-house, my team and I decided to enter an award. There was no grand strategy behind it. No big expectation of winning. I entered for one simple reason – my team deserved recognition. They were doing brilliant, often unseen work. They were committed, creative, and making a real difference, even when conditions weren’t easy. I wanted them to feel seen.
What happened next genuinely surprised us.
We won.
And the impact of that moment went far beyond a trophy or a logo.
Recognition is powerful, but the ripple effects matter more
Of course, the initial excitement was huge. There was pride. Celebration. A real sense of “we did it!!”. But what I didn’t anticipate were the doors that opened afterwards.
That award gave us confidence.
It gave us credibility.
It gave us permission to speak more boldly about what we were doing and why.
Conversations changed. Opportunities followed. Networks widened.
(And as a wonderful and unexpected bonus, I even ended up on a trip to Iceland as a thank-you… but that’s a story for another day!)
What struck me most was that we went in hoping to give something to our team – and came away with so much more.
That experience stayed with me. It’s one of the many reasons I care so deeply about recognising the work teams are doing today.
Why judging is such a privilege
Fast-forward to now, and I find myself on the other side of the process, as a judge.
And I don’t use the word privilege lightly.
Judging the Inspiring Workplaces Awards means getting curious about what’s really working inside organisations. It means being trusted with stories that aren’t always public-facing. Stories of leadership, communication, wellbeing, inclusion, employee voice, and experience, and told honestly, not performatively.
It’s a rare chance to see behind the curtain.
I take that responsibility seriously. Every submission represents real people, real effort, and real intent to create a better working experience. As judges, we treat that trust with care, respect, and curiosity.
And honestly? It’s inspiring.
Entering isn’t just about winning
One of the biggest misconceptions about awards is that they’re only about the outcome.
They’re not.
Entering gives you space to:
- Pause and reflect on what you’re actually building
- Join the dots between intention and impact
- Articulate your people story in your own words
- Celebrate progress, even if you’re still a work in progress
I’ve seen time and again how the process alone can strengthen clarity, confidence, and alignment inside teams.
And when recognition does follow? It becomes a powerful signal both internally and externally, that your approach isn’t just well-meaning. It’s working.
A quiet encouragement
So if you’re sitting there wondering whether it’s “too soon”, or whether your organisation is “ready”, or whether what you’re doing is “enough”, let me offer this encouragement.
Some of the most powerful entries don’t come from perfect organisations. They come from honest ones. Ones that care. Ones that are trying. Ones that are learning.
If you’re creating an environment where your people come first, your story deserves to be told. And as someone who’s been there as an entrant, a winner, a runner-up, and a judge, I’ll say this with complete sincerity: You never quite know how far the ripple effects might travel!
What are you waiting for?? Start your entry today!
Find out more at https://www.inspiring-workplaces.com/iw-awards/
