The Joy of a Blue Jay Jacket (And Why Team Rituals Matter)

I was watching the Toronto Blue Jays, and they were dinging out home runs almost every inning. It’s exhilarating seeing the players put on a crazy, decorated Home Run Jacket, as the four bag sluggers returned to the dugout. The Blue Jays sport this apparel after a player hits a home run as a fun, celebratory tradition.

Their Home Run Jacket (inspired by the Masters’ green jacket) is more than fun—it’s a morale-booster, a symbol of unity, and a generational ritual that sticks.

Great teams don’t just win—they celebrate in ways that bond them. Here’s how rituals fuel success in sports and business:

Business Team Rituals that Work:

IDEO’s "Tea Time"

A cowbell rings every Wednesday → 10-minute break for tea + treats. Why? Sparks cross-team collab.

Shopify’s "UNICORN" Praise

Public shoutouts → High-fives in hallways. Why? Culture of appreciation = bigger wins.

Patagonia’s Surf Breaks

“Go surf if the waves are good!” Why? Lives their outdoor brand ethos.

OXO’s Lost Gloves Wall

Displays stray gloves with location tags. Why? Reminds team: “Design for all hands.”

R/GA’s "5×5 Storytelling"

Five people, five-minute personal stories monthly. Why? Deepens trust through vulnerability.

"Taco Love Time" (HeyTaco)

Slack gratitude + music after sprints. Why? 10-minute joy boost.

Houzz’s "Sip and See"

Meet coworkers’ new babies + candy-filled bottles. Why? Family-friendly culture.

Sports Teams Rituals that Stick:

Notre Dame Football’s Walk

Same path to stadium every game. Tradition = focus.

All Blacks’ "Sweep the Shed"

Rugby stars clean locker post-game. Why? Humility = legacy.

Grinnell Soccer’s Red Ribbons

Motivational quotes tied to cleats. Unity = strength.

Pre-Game Mantras

Chants (like the All Blacks’ haka) or hand-written goals. Alignment = fire.

Avoiding Logos (Superstition)

Never step on the team emblem. Respect = mindset.’

Key Takeaways:

Purpose Wins: Rituals work when tied to values (e.g., Patagonia’s surf breaks = outdoor DNA).

Belonging = Speed: Onboard faster with traditions (like Houzz’s baby meets).

Grassroots > Mandates: Best rituals start organically (see: Blue Jays’ jacket).

Inspire rituals, don’t force them. People fuel culture.

Dive Deeper: Harvard’s research on workplace rituals.

Think Big, Start Small, Act Now.

- Lorne

Garrett’s View: As the College Football season inches closer to kickoff, the buzz is already in the air regarding the anticipatory pageantry that fires up fans. I can’t wait, and often we’ll see a myriad of rituals and think “if only there was some way to participate.” Well, leaders, you make the rules! Integrate traditions within your workspace, embrace the fun of it, and the best part is your seasons don’t have to end.

- Garrett

AI Response: The Toronto Blue Jays’ Home Run Jacket is more than just a fun tradition—it’s a proven morale-booster, with teams that celebrate together performing better under pressure. Research shows that rituals enhance group cohesion and performance; for example, a Harvard Business Review study found that teams with strong rituals exhibit 20% higher collaboration and 15% greater productivity. The Blue Jays’ jacket, inspired by the Masters’ green jacket, exemplifies this, joining other impactful traditions like the All Blacks’ "Sweep the Shed" (reinforcing humility) and IDEO’s "Tea Time" (boosting cross-team creativity). In business, companies like Shopify see a 30% increase in employee engagement with recognition rituals like "UNICORN Praise." Whether in sports or the workplace, rituals rooted in purpose—like Patagonia’s surf breaks—strengthen identity and trust, proving that culture isn’t just built on wins, but on shared moments of joy. (Sources: HBR, Gallup, MIT Sloan Management Review).

The Joy of a Blue Jay Jacket (And Why Team Rituals Matter)

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