As corny as it may sound, there’s nothing quite like a good high five. Quick, simple, and unmistakably joyful, it’s the universal language of “Hell yes, we did it.” Whether you’re sealing a win, hyping someone up, or just working well with a teammate who gets it, the high five has always had one job: encouragement.
But have you ever stopped to wonder where the high five came from? And what can it teach us, especially now that most of us are delivering our high-fives through Zoom windows, Slack threads, or awkwardly delayed emoji reactions? Let’s dig in.
Where did the first high five come from?
There are competing stories, as with any cultural phenomenon that goes viral before social media existed. But the most widely accepted version traces back to October 2, 1977, during a Los Angeles Dodgers game.
Dusty Baker had just hit his 30th home run of the season. As he crossed home plate, his teammate Glenn Burke raised his hand in celebration. Instead of shaking it or leaving him hanging, Baker smacked it with his own. History was made—on live TV, no less.
That single moment between two teammates turned into something bigger. Burke later brought the high five into San Francisco’s Castro District, where it took on new meaning as a symbol of queer pride and visibility. From baseball stadiums to nightclubs, it spread fast. By the 1980s, it was everywhere—sports, schools, sitcoms, you name it.
The high five wasn’t just a gesture. It became a movement of celebration, affirmation, and togetherness.
What made the high five so powerful?
It’s goofy. It’s quick. It’s personal. And it’s just a little bit vulnerable.
You can’t half-commit to a high five. You’ve got to go for it. That split-second reach says, "I see you. I’m with you. Let’s keep going."
For teams—especially creative, collaborative ones—that little moment of connection matters more than we realize. Research has even shown that teams that physically connect (even through small gestures like high fives or fist bumps) perform better, trust more, and feel more cohesive.
So, in a world where we’re constantly told to optimize, streamline, and “move fast,” the high five reminds us to pause and celebrate.
So… what happens when we go remote?
When you're in the same room, it's easy to feel the energy of a team win. You hear the whoops. You slap hands. You toss someone a donut. All of that becomes trickier when your team is spread across time zones, camera settings, and varying degrees of Zoom fatigue.
But here’s the good news: while the medium has changed, the message doesn’t have to.
A high five was never really about the hands. It was about the moment. The recognition. The shared feeling that we did something cool together.
And we can absolutely still do that—from wherever we are.
How to give high fives remotely (no awkward “raise hand” buttons required)
Here are a few ways to keep that spirit of encouragement alive, even when you're not physically in the same space:
1. Start your meetings with a win
Kick off your Monday standup or Friday retro with a quick team win. Encourage people to shout each other out. Keep it informal and fast, like a verbal high five.
“Let’s give a high five to Jamie for jumping in on that last-minute client request and absolutely nailing it.”
2. Use the tools you already have
Slack reactions? Emojis? GIFs? Use them like confetti. A perfectly timed 🙌 or 🎉 can go a long way. Want to take it up a notch? Try creating a custom “High Five” emoji or sticker for your team to use in channels.
3. Create a cheerleader channel
Have a dedicated “Shoutouts” or “Team Wins” channel. Encourage everyone, including leaders, to use it regularly. Make it okay (and encouraged) to hype each other up.
4. Voice > Text when it matters
Sometimes, hearing a human voice hits differently. Leave a quick voice note or video message when someone crushes it. Doesn’t have to be long or formal—just human.
“Hey, I saw how you handled that client call. That was badass. High five through the screen!”
5. Celebrate progress, not just big wins
One of the best things about high fives? You don’t need to win the Super Bowl to get one. You just need to show up and give it your best. So don’t wait for launch day—high five someone for pushing through a tricky sprint or finally solving that weird bug.
TL;DR: The hand slap that started a movement still works—just differently.
The high five started as a spontaneous burst of joy. It became a symbol of unity and encouragement. And even now, in our camera-on, mic-muted world, the spirit of the high five can still thrive.
Your team doesn’t need a standing ovation or a 360 review to feel appreciated. They just need to know that someone sees them, believes in them, and wants to celebrate them.
So go ahead. Send that emoji. Drop that voice note. Name that win.
Give ‘em a high five—whatever that looks like today.
