Love them or less than love them, bosses are big parts of our lives. From personal and professional development, it’s important to thank your boss for all they do for you from time to time. Leadership isn’t easy, and great leadership should never go unnoticed, especially in the small details. Writing a short thank you note to your boss will likely make you feel as good as they do. After all, expressing gratitude — even during tough times — will help your life seem even more full.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- How to Say ‘Thank You for the Gift’ to Your Boss
- How to Say ‘Thank You’ When Leaving or Retiring from Your Job
- How to Say ‘Thank You’ for the Raise, Promotion, or Bonus
- How to Say ‘Thank You for Being a Mentor’ to Your Boss
Are you unsure how to start your thank you note, or are you worried you’ll over- or under-do it? It’s difficult to get any sort of thank you sentiment totally wrong. You’re probably not giving yourself enough credit. Regardless, we’ve provided you with plenty of examples for a few different scenarios that should get you going. Here are some thank you quotes for further inspiration.
How to Say ‘Thank You for the Gift’ to Your Boss
Bosses that go the extra mile to say they’re thankful for your efforts are all the more deserving of thanks themselves. Even if you don’t consider yourself a “gift person,” or the gift is small or large, you shouldn’t hesitate to write a note. If the gift was monetary, here are some notes for saying, “thank you for the money, “ in a more elegant way.
1. Thank you so much for thinking of me! I love serving on your team. I’m looking forward to the coming months a great deal.
Writing a thank you message in this way keeps things professional and pushes the focus back to your work. Perhaps you felt as though the gift was a bit much, and you’d prefer to assert your professional relationship versus a personal one. Regardless, it lets your boss know they are appreciated and that you’re looking forward to working with them.
2. Thank you so much for your thoughtful gift. It means the world to me that I get to work with you every day!
This thank you is a little more heartfelt. You’ll know if it’s the right option to go with, depending on you and your boss’s relationship. You’re letting them know that you both love the gift and that you enjoy his or her company.
3. Thank you for the condolences and your beautiful gift. This has been one of the hardest experiences I have ever had to go through, but with people like you in my corner, it hasn’t been all bad.
Perhaps you experienced some sort of loss in your family, and your boss got you a sympathy gift. Whether you expected this sentiment from them or not, this message expresses gratitude in a simple way and lets them know you appreciate them.
4. I appreciate all you do and for thinking of me! Your gift means the world.
Again, this message puts focus back on your boss and detracts from the gift. After all, giving and receiving gifts is hardly ever about the gifts themselves, but about the relationship you have with the other person.
5. Thank you for the festive gift! It’s really gotten me in the holiday spirit! You have such a talent for finding things that are “me.”
This is a nice sentiment to say around the holidays, especially if your boss got you a light-hearted gift. The holidays can be tough on anyone, so appreciating them for appreciating you is important.
How to Say ‘Thank You’ When Leaving or Retiring from Your Job
Even if you’re not leaving or retiring on the best terms with your boss, giving them a short thank you isn’t something you’ll likely regret. On the other hand, maybe you owe a great deal of your success to your boss, and you feel called to let them know. Here are some ideas for either situation.
6. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me over the years. I dreamed of this day, and can’t believe my retirement is finally here. It’s definitely bittersweet. I truly hope we can keep in touch.
Expressing that you hope to keep in touch with someone is something that many people often say but seldom mean. If you don’t truly feel it, you aren’t rude for not including it.
7. I can’t believe I’m retiring now when I finally have a boss like you. It’s pretty dumb, but my time has come! I hope to hit a round of golf with you sometime soon. Thank you for everything.
This message is simple and light-hearted. Many are fortunate to have a calm and friendly relationship with their superiors. If this sounds like you, then go for it.
8. It may not have been an easy road for us, but I am grateful for it all the same. Thank you for everything you’ve taught me. There’s no way I’d be able to make this transition without your guidance and support.
Keeping it real by acknowledging if you and your boss’s relationship wasn’t all easy is important. Many people are offended by sugarcoating. In the end, though, thank them all the same.
9. Thank you for believing in me. You’re one of the biggest reasons why this next chapter for me is finally happening. I am eternally grateful. I hope to keep in touch.
Giving someone a heartfelt “thank you for your support” should feel good on both accounts. That being said, this message is professional enough in tone that you shouldn’t worry about laying it on too thick.
10. Thank you for continuing to push me over the years and for never letting me take the easy route. It means so much to me to serve under someone with such unwavering dedication. You’re inspiring, and I’ll never forget my time here.
It’s difficult to leave any position or job regardless of how long you’ve worked there. Saying goodbye may be even harder.
Keep your thank you positive and focus on being grateful, not so much the fact that you’re leaving. If you’re hoping to end your note in a unique way, here’s how to express “with gratitude” without necessarily saying it.
How to Say ‘Thank You’ for the Raise, Promotion, or Bonus
No matter how much you think you deserve a raise, promotion, or bonus, that doesn’t mean it was guaranteed to you. Things can happen, minds can be changed, and others can take your spot.
If raises, promotions, and bonuses are something that you hope to continue with your current company, expressing gratitude is a great start. Here are a few short ideas for how to thank your boss in these cases.
11. I am truly honored to receive this bonus. I couldn’t have accomplished the growth we’ve seen lately without you. Thank you so much!
This message is simple and also gives credit to your boss for your success. It’s important to recognize their efforts, too, even if they were just external or limited.
12. I know your decision was a very tough one, and I don’t plan to let you down. This promotion is one of the greatest things I could’ve hoped for upon entering this company. Thank you for believing in me.
Expressing how important an opportunity is to you as well as thanking your boss is pretty foolproof. His or her reasoning for choosing you will be affirmed if there were any doubts.
13. I can’t help but be extremely grateful for this raise. It means so much to both me and my family. You’ve made a few more of our dreams possible. Thank you!
It’s often in good taste to remind your boss that raises aren’t just for your benefit, but they’re helping your family, too. Depending on the size of your company, your boss may not interact with you directly as often. It’s nice to share these kinds of details and express gratitude on your family’s behalf.
14. I am humbled and honored to have been selected for this promotion. I am so thrilled to begin leading with you and working more closely with you on our upcoming projects. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I won’t let you down.
Promotions are a big deal, especially if your position transforms you into a leader yourself. No matter the ego boost it gives you, it’s important to remain humble and know you still have to earn it.
15. Thank you so much for including me in our recent bonus. It makes those extra hours the entire team put into this project that much more meaningful. Again, I really appreciate it!
You can easily take the focus off of yourself and remind your boss of your entire team’s efforts in your thank you message. It looks good on you, too, especially if you’re being considered for further leadership opportunities.
How to Say ‘Thank You for Being a Mentor’ to Your Boss
It’s quite often that the greatest mentors in our lives are those we don’t necessarily choose. All the same, it’s important to thank your boss for mentoring you in any capacity — conventional or unconventional.
16. Gift Idea: Get them a paperweight, plaque, or desk accessory
Giving your boss a personalized accessory for his or her office — especially if it’s based on an inside joke or memory between the two of you — can be incredibly meaningful. Though just an object, it can serve as a reminder of his or her leadership, your growth, and your relationship as a whole.
17. Thank you for being the greatest leader, teacher, mentor, and friend. You’re one of the greatest people I’ve had the pleasure of working with, and I am so grateful.
This message is straightforward but also pretty telling. It’s quite likely that a boss can have a profound effect on your life, and you shouldn’t hesitate to let them know.
18. Thank you for believing in me, being patient with me, and for kicking my ass at times. I’m so lucky to serve on your team.
If your boss uses a bit of tough love, it’s not in poor taste to not laugh a little about this. An honest, genuine thank you will mean more to them than anything you can find in the card aisle, anyway.
19. You aren’t just a boss to me, I see you as a mentor and friend. I am so excited for all of the challenges the coming year is going to throw at us. Because of you, I feel invigorated and prepared. Thank you.
It’s possible that your boss is unaware of how positively you view them. It doesn’t hurt to let them know in a heartfelt note versus trying to verbalize it. Plus, unspoken messages can often mean that much more.
20. Gift Idea: Take your boss out for a special meal
You know your boss best. If he or she isn’t one for letters or gifts, food usually does the trick. Plus, a meal is a memory the two of you can share together.
It’s unlikely that the two of you get to spend a ton of time together just to unwind or reflect on everything in a relaxed setting. This can be a great opportunity to thank them, too. If dinner doesn’t seem like the right occasion, consider an upscale brunch or lunch instead.
You can read our guide on how to write a letter to a mentor for more.
'Thanks' Shouldn’t Feel Complicated
Though the relationship you have with your boss may be complicated at times — and what relationship isn’t — your thank you shouldn’t feel this way. If you’re thinking too hard about it, it’s likely you’re not going about it in the right way.
Giving your boss a short, honest, but meaningful thank you isn’t something you’ll likely regret. If you don’t think your job is the easiest, imagine theirs. A thank you can go a long way. For resources on end-of-life planning and even more helpful life tips, check out the rest of Cake.
Post-loss tip: If you are the executor for a deceased loved one, the emotional and technical aspects of handling their unfinished business can be overwhelming without a way to organize your process. We have a post-loss checklist that will help you ensure that your loved one's family, estate, and other affairs are taken care of.