Writing a thank you note to your boss is an act of goodwill on your part, and of late, is a dying phenomenon. Expressing gratitude does not take up a lot of time, but goes a long way in strengthening your relation with your boss.
We so often get caught up with our hectic schedule and accompanying work pressures, that we forget to take some time out to appreciate the people who have helped and encouraged us. It is true that typically, all bosses at work have a stern aura around them, but behind this facade, most of them are compassionate mentors and facilitators who lead a team towards its goal.
When is the Best Time to Write a Thank You Note?
When exactly are you supposed to say thank you? Well, the answer is pretty simple – say thank you when you know in your heart that your boss has helped you, encouraged you, inspired you or has simply been a positive influence in your life. If you are not sure when you could write a thank you note to your boss, here are some situations, which call for one:
Your boss assigns you an important project, which you’ve been waiting to work on. This is a big boost for your career in terms of progress and job satisfaction.
Your boss applauds your efforts and congratulates you on having performed beyond his/her expectations.
There was a family emergency. Your boss not only granted you a leave period, but also managed to find someone to stand in for you.
Your boss has granted you the resources which you needed for a particular project.
It is time for you to leave your company and thank your boss for the wonderful work experience you’ve had.
Here Are Some Examples…
A Few Tips…
Handwritten or Email
Although writing a thank you note is personal, handwritten notes may seem a tad unprofessional. Go with emailing your boss instead, with a typeface that is decipherable (say Times New Roman – 12).
Addressing the Boss
The way you want to address your boss depends on the kind of working relationship you share. If you address your boss by her/his first name, feel free to do so in the email, but if you call him/her as Mr. XYZ or Mrs. XYZ, use the same in the thank you note.
Length of the Email
Keep the thank you email short and sweet. Don’t expect your boss to spend more than 20 seconds reading what you’ve sent. However, make sure that you don’t make it too short either, and of course include the reason for thanking him/her.
Closing Line
Again, this depends on your working relationship. If the usual interaction is quite informal, then you can end it with ‘Appreciate it’, ‘Thanks a ton’ or if you want something more formal – end it with a formal ‘Thank you’, followed by ‘Yours sincerely’ or ‘Respectfully yours’.
A simple gesture of appreciation can help to improve relationships at the workplace. Expressing gratitude is a dying habit in these times when we’re easily taking each other for granted. By acknowledging a helping hand, you’d only be preserving a gracious mannerism that is possibly on its way out of our lives.