Stumped on how to best thank your boss? Whether you want to thank your boss for a gift or for their ongoing support, this guide will help you find the right words.
You likely say thank you to colleagues often, whether it’s for their help on a project or for bringing in office donuts. But what aboutyour boss? How can you appreciate them and thank them for the opportunities, coaching, advice, and support they’ve given to their teams throughout the year? And how do you say thank you without seeming insincere or over-the-top?
Here are our top tips to say “thank you” to management any day of the year. Whether you want to thank your direct supervisor or thank a boss at the very top, these ideas have you covered.
In this article:
- 6 Ways to Say Thank You to the Boss (with Example Emails)
- Thank you for your support (general)
- Offering to write your boss a recommendation
- Nominating your boss for an award
- Reaching out to your boss’s boss to give them credit
- A thank you and holiday gift (or any time gift)
- How to thank your boss when you’re leaving the job
- Bonus: How to Thank Your Boss for a Gift
5 Ways to Say Thank You to the Boss (Plus Email Templates)
1. Send a Specific and Heartfelt Thank You
If you’re struggling with how to say thank you to the boss, it can help to get specific.
What stands out as an act of strong leadership in your eyes? Did your boss do everything they could to remain open during the height of the pandemic? Did they retain you as an employee even during a rough economic market? Did your employer create flexible work opportunities knowing that many people are navigating parenthood, homeschooling, or personal economic needs?
Reflect on the gifts, big and small, that your employer gave during a particularly challenging year. Send your gratitude in an email or hand-written card. This allows your boss to keep and re-read your kind words.
Example Boss Thank You Template
Note: You can copy and paste these boss thank-you notes directly into your email draft.
Hi [Boss's name],I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the support you've shown us during this last year. I know it's not easy to oversee a team through the aftermath of a pandemic, especially with all the news of inflation and a potential recession, and it's meant a lot to the team that you've worked hard to make us feel secure and heard. It's truly appreciated.Best,[Your Name]
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2. Offer to Write Your Boss a Recommendation
Does your employer offer you resources to succeed like a comprehensive onboarding experience or perhaps a lucrative employee referral bonus plan to help friends get jobs and earn yourself a referral bonus?
Consider offering your employer some public kudos. You can write a recommendation for them on LinkedIn or Glassdoor to exemplify their awesome leadership qualities.
Example Boss Reference Email
Hi [Boss's name],I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all the support you've given me and the whole team. I deeply appreciate the resources and support you provide. I would love to write a recommendation for you on LinkedIn or for the whole company on Glassdoor, if that's of interest!Best,[Your Name]
3. Submit Your Boss for an Industry Award
Is your employer an authority in their vertical? Do they specialize in personal finance and host informational seminars? Do they run a weekly industry-specific podcast? With their permission, consider submitting your rockstar employer for awards that recognize their achievements and presence as a resource to the community. For example, the Sacramento Magazine writes a “Sacramento 100” special edition in which they recognize stand-out professionals that are making a big impact in the local area.
These efforts not only compliment your employer, but they may also get your employer (and your company!) impactful exposure to new audiences.
Example Boss Thank You Email
Hi [Boss's name], This is an out-of-the-blue suggestion, but I noticed that[Local Publication Name] does an annual list of best employers in the area. I've so appreciated your support and insights this year, and was wondering if you'd be comfortable with me submitting you for consideration? It's not only a kudos to you, but might be a good way to increase exposure for the company. Best, [Your Name]4. Reach out to Their Boss
Your boss may be the business owner themselves or they may be an arm of upper management. Consider reaching out to your boss’s boss to give your manager a great review.
This can either be done formally or informally. Set up an in-person meeting to highlight your manager or perhaps write up a quick Slack/Teams message to your boss’s boss to highlight their leadership qualities.
If your company holds quarterly or annual performance reviews, consider submitting positive feedback for your manager there too. This positive review will reinforce your manager’s efforts and make them feel seen and validated.
Example Boss-over-Boss Email
Hi [Boss's Boss's name],My name is [Your name], and I wanted to reach out to you privately to give[your boss's name]a shout-out for all their hard work. I've never had such a great relationship with a supervisor. They truly go above and beyond, and it's made me feel an even deeper sense of loyalty for this company. I just thought you'd like to hear!Best,[Your Name]
5. Consider Giving Your Boss a Gift
What is your company’s culture and policy on gift-giving? Consider getting the team together and creating a budget for a small gift for your manager. Do they have a mug collection? Do they enjoy cheering on the local sports teams? Do they love sweets? Get creative with your gift-giving ideas!
Gifts don’t have to cost money. Create a slideshow of team pictures, memorable quotes, or sage advice and give to them as a heartfelt display of appreciation.
6. How to Thank Your Boss When You’re Leaving
Sometimes, it’s time to move on even if we love our boss or company. If you’ve decided to quit your job in favor of another opportunity, but want to thank your boss for all their support over the last few years, this is the perfect thank you template for that — ideally, sent on your final day of work (but you could also add this language to your official resignation letter!)
Example Email: Thanking Your Boss When You Quit
Hi [Boss's name],I can't believe it is my last day. Before I go, I want to thank you for all your support and mentorship over these last [enter the number of years you worked] years. It was a difficult decision to move on, particularly because of the team here, and that's largely thanks to your leadership. I hope we can stay in touch (my LinkedIn is [enter your LinkedIn URL] and personal email address is [enter your email address]). If anything comes up over the next couple of weeks, please don't hesitate to reach out. I hope this transition goes as smoothly as possible for everyone. Thank you again for everything. Best,[Your Name]
Bonus: How to Thank Your Boss for a Gift
Did your boss give you a holiday gift or birthday present? You definitely want to thank them, but in situations like these, yo can keep is short and sweet. Thank the boss for their thoughtful gift, and say that you appreciate working with them. Short and sweet!
Ways to Say Thank You for a Gift from Your Boss
Thank you so much for your thoughtful gift. It's always such a pleasure to work with you, and I look forward to many more hours together.
Thank you for the holiday bonus! It's such a nice surprise at an expensive time of year. I really appreciate the opportunity to work with you.
Thank you for thinking of me! I really appreciate getting to work with you.
Thank you for your condolences. These last few weeks have been incredibly difficult, but it means the world to feel supported by my team, including management.
Enjoyed these top 5 ways to say “thank you” to your boss? Don’t forget to uplift your teammates too! Check out this article all about the top compliments you can give your coworkers to empower them at work!
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