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This article was co-authored by Tami Claytor and wikiHow staff writer Glenn Carreau. Tami Claytor is an etiquette coach, image consultant and owner of Always Appropriate Image and Etiquette Consulting in New York, New York. With over 20 years of experience, Tami specializes in teaching etiquette courses to individuals, students, businesses and community organizations. Tami has spent decades studying cultures through her extensive travels across five continents and has designed cultural diversity workshops to promote social justice and cross-cultural awareness. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics with a focus on international relations from Clark University. Tami studied at the Ophelia DeVore School of Glamor and the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she earned her image consultant certification. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of all facts cited and confirming the authority of its sources.
Are you trying to write your boss a thoughtful goodbye note but can’t think of what to say? We’ve got you covered. Whether your boss is retiring or moving on to a new job (or you’re leaving the company instead), a goodbye note is a polite and respectful way to end your employment relationship on a high note. In this article, we’ll show you how to write a powerful farewell message for your boss—and offer a wide range of example messages, from professional to personal, funny, and encouraging!
- I feel lucky to have had you as my boss. It was an honor to work with you!
- Thank you for creating a positive and supportive work environment. I wish you further success!
- You were an amazing boss, but I also consider you a mentor and a friend. all the best!
- You are a talented leader and your presence will be missed. Thanks!
- For new beginnings and continued success. We wish you all the best in your new position!
Choose the appropriate tone for the message. Before you start composing your goodbye message, think about what kind of tone you want (professional, casual, or humorous, for example). Consider your relationship with your boss and the tone that best suits your dynamic, then write your message with that tone in mind.[4]
- For example, if you have mostly had a cordial, professional relationship with your boss, use a formal, professional tone.
- If you had a more casual, friendly relationship with your boss, you might opt for an honest, personal, or humorous tone instead.
- Even if you have a friendly relationship with your boss, remember to choose a message that is not too personal, but would still be appropriate to read at work.
Express gratitude to your boss. Thank them for any positive effects they’ve had on your career or lessons you’ve learned from them. Gratitude is a powerful tool, and your appreciation can improve your boss’s mood. So if this might be one of your last chances to acknowledge the good things your boss has done, make sure they know you appreciate them.[5]
Include specific details about your boss’s impact on the job. Etiquette trainer Tami Claytor emphasizes the importance of determining when you are showing respect to someone. Don’t just tell your boss you appreciate him; explain why they made such a difference in your professional life with examples and memories of them.
- For example, maybe your boss took one-on-one time to coach you or put a lot of effort into a particularly successful project.
- Highlight such events to show your boss that their actions and efforts really matter to you as you work together.
Use concise and clear language. You don’t have to write a whole overly complicated letter; a short, thoughtful note is all that’s needed. Get straight to the point, thank your boss for everything, add a few personal details and end the message. The longer your message, the less effective it can become.[6]
- Whether you write this message on a card, paper or email is up to you.
Make the message cheerful and optimistic. For a farewell message, avoid talking about disagreements or difficult events from the past. Hold on to positive words, happy memories and enthusiastic good wishes! Towards the end of your message, wish your boss a fulfilling, happy future – whether he’s leaving, changing jobs or retiring.[7]
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Source: HIS Education