The “High Five” is an instantaneous way of telling a person that they are important, and deserve your personal attention. Tactile communication is known to increase cooperation, to convey positive emotions, and to provide a sign of trust! (There was actually a study done on this in the NBA to support this evidence.)
Where did the High Five come from? It is widely believed to have emerged in the 1970s. One popular story attributes it to the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team. During a 1977 game, outfielder Glenn Burke and shortstop Dusty Baker reportedly performed the move after Baker hit a home run. Burke is often credited with popularizing the high-five, and it quickly spread beyond baseball.
High Fives don’t just benefit the receiver of the High Five, they benefit the giver too! Sending a High Five is a way to express gratitude and research shows that people who express gratitude experience more positive emotions and well-being. It is an instantaneous way of telling a person that they are important. The science behind it is easy – when you High Five, your brain releases dopamine, a chemical that boosts happiness.
I recently posted a video on Instagram about how to quickly raise your team's spirits and dopamine levels after coming back from a long Labor Day weekened, encouraging owners and managers to give their teams the High Fives. All through that Tuesday, I received direct messages and text with virtual High Five gestures. That is when an idea was born! I thought, "Dang, look at the response from just one video. What if we invited salon leaders from across the country to join in the movement?"
The next day I posted a video inviting salons across the country to record themselves High Five-ing their teams. The response has been amazing. Crystal Hartzog of Cedar House Salon & Spa in St. George commented “Hey, I want in on the fun” and soon their video was up. Shortly after Salon Rootz followed, then another and another...like dominos. We hope to keep the movement going.
We all love our teams, lifting each other up is an essential ingredient to a healthy culture. Praise and fun go a long way. Such a simple gesture with such a big impact!
Here are some other fun reels:
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