Supercharge morale with a simple percussive cheer

On a chilly January Sunday, I sat in that crowded stadium for Super Bowl XIX. My legs left faint paint streaks on the wooden benches as I cheered for every 49ers first down. But it was behind the scenes that I learned the power of the five-clap ritual from a coach every bit as influential in business as in sports.

Years later, I watched Clay Bavor introduce that same percussive cheer to his VR team at Google. He clapped—five solid beats—when the first Expeditions demo streamed flawlessly to a classroom of kids. The sudden pop of applause broke the ice, charged the room, and transformed three hours of technical review into a celebration of collective effort.

Clay told me how he then wove the ritual into his weekly all-hands. “Whenever someone shared good news, I’d BCC,” he said, naming the “Bill Campbell Clap,” and soon it caught on. Today, fresh hires practice the clap in orientation. Seasoned veterans cue each other with an eyebrow raise, knowing exactly what comes next.

Science tells us that explicit, structured recognition triggers dopamine surges, turning individual wins into social bonding experiences. A five-clap ritual packs that punch—a micro-celebration that’s quick to deliver, impossible to fake, and powerful enough to reset team energy instantly. Every group can adapt this simple beat to its own rhythm.

Next time you lead a review, pause after the key moment is announced. Stand, give five clear, confident claps, and call out what you’re celebrating. Look around—your team will smile and join in. That percussive cheer will turn a routine meeting into a memorable team high-five. Try it in your next check-in.