Here's how you can express appreciation and gratitude to your boss effectively.

Start by acknowledging your boss's actions or decisions that have positively impacted you, showing that you notice and value their efforts. Write a handwritten thank-you note or a personalized email highlighting these contributions, making it clear that your appreciation is sincere. If appropriate, share a personal anecdote or example illustrating how your boss's support has impacted your professional growth or work experience. Consider small, thoughtful gestures such as a favorite treat, a book they might enjoy, or another personalized gift that reflects their interests. Adding a personal touch demonstrates genuine gratitude and reinforces a positive and respectful relationship with your boss.

Chefs sind auch nur Menschen. Und als Menschen brauchen sie genauso unsere Wertschätzung und Dankbarkeit, wie wir sie brauchen. Wertschätzung und Lob erreichen uns besonders gut, wenn wir nicht einfach nur "Mega" sagen, sondern die Form des SBI- Feedbacks nutzen: In dieser Situation (S), hast du folgendes getan (B für Behaviour) und folgenden Impact (I) hatte es auf mich. Beschreibe dabei, welche guten Gedanken und Gefühle das Verhalten bei dir deines Chefs ausgelöst hat. Wir alle wollen, dass unser Handeln anderen Menschen positiv beeinflusst. Nur leider bekommen wir wenig Feedback dazu. Ein solches positives, persönliches und konkretes Feedback lässt jedem Menschen das Herz aufgehen

A liderança é muito solitária para executivos que estão no alto escalão e um gesto simples como um bilhete com um feedback positivo, palavras de apoio podem fazer toda diferença.

Der Inhalt zählt und ist besonders wichtig… 🌸💐🌺🌷🌻 … und ich würde dem anderen Menschen (aka die Chefin!) subtil auf den Zahn spüren, ob sie zu der großen Mehrheit gehört, für die handgeschriebene Karten was ganz besonderes sind. Oder ob sie zu der Minderheit gehört, die vielleicht mit einem Video auf WhatsApp oder einer anderen digitalen Message vielleicht sogar noch glücklicher ist. Weil sie nicht beim Aufräumen erst digitalisiert und dann die Karte doch wegschmeißt… 🤷🏻♀️

I recently attended a Leadership Development conference where one of my leaders delivered an inspiring keynote. During the Q&A, I raised my hand—not to ask a question, but to affirm his insights and share my own growth from implementing his advice. It was a great moment to publicly thank him and add credibility to his message for others at the conference.

Open mutual appreciation is worth twice as much as personal feedback in a 1:1 setting. Our signal: My appreciation is so strong that I am happy to share it with others. At the same time, I show other managers in the team that this is good behaviour - and thus invite good leadership.

Recognize your boss's contributions and positive impact in team meetings, company newsletters, or professional platforms like LinkedIn. Highlight specific achievements or qualities that have made a difference in your work or the team’s success. Share concrete examples of their leadership, support, and guidance, ensuring your praise is genuine and detailed. Publicly acknowledging their efforts shows your gratitude and reinforces their value within the organization, fostering a culture of recognition and appreciation. By giving public praise, you enhance your relationship with your boss and contribute to a positive and motivating work environment.

O elogio em público é algo até sensível porque alguns executivos sofrem com a síndrome do impostor e por isso tornam se mais resistentes a elogios. Outros não abrem a guarda para receber elogios.

Public recognition should be authentic and not feel forced. Praising your boss in a meeting might seem like a good idea, but it can come across as insincere. Instead, focus on constructive feedback and specific examples of how their leadership has positively influenced your work. This approach fosters genuine appreciation and mutual respect rather than creating an environment where praise is expected or obligatory. When praise and criticism become habitual, we risk losing authenticity. Genuine praise is important, but praise for its own sake is not. Seeking praise can detract from focusing on meaningful outcomes. Prioritise results that benefit the client over seeking approval or recognition.

Choose gifts that reflect your boss’s interests and personality, showing you’ve carefully considered your selection. For example, if your boss enjoys reading, a book by their favorite author or a subscription to a relevant industry magazine could be ideal. Consider a related accessory or tool if they have a hobby, such as cooking or golf. Personalize the gift with a heartfelt note explaining why you chose it and how their support and leadership have positively impacted you. Thoughtful gifts demonstrate genuine appreciation and effort, making your gratitude more meaningful and personal. Selecting a gift that resonates with your boss’s preferences strengthens your professional relationship and memorably conveys your appreciation.

É sair do lugar comum e conhecer os gostos pessoais, o que seu líder admira, o que pensa, como pensa, como age e ir com um símbolo em formato de presente que faça sentido, não o que todos fazem… vou dar uma boa garrafa de vinho….. para alguns, um chaveiro por mais simples que pareça pode ser mais assertivo

Whenever I have the chance to strategize or receive coaching from my leaders, I always start by thanking them for their time. I make sure to arrive promptly and come prepared with questions or tasks. This approach maximizes our time together and shows my respect and appreciation for their guidance.

Acknowledging your boss's time is important, but this should not translate into taking on extra responsibilities without considering your own workload and well-being. True appreciation comes from creating a balanced and efficient work environment where everyone respects each other's time and contributions. Encourage open communication and efficient meetings to ensure everyone's time is valued and used effectively

Demonstrate your appreciation by consistently being reliable, proactive, and supportive in your work. Take the initiative to anticipate your boss's needs and offer assistance with tasks or projects, especially during busy periods. Show your commitment to the team’s success by volunteering for new responsibilities or offering solutions to challenges. Regularly check in with your boss to see how you can help alleviate their workload or contribute to team goals. By providing continuous support, you show your boss that you value their leadership and are dedicated to contributing to the team's overall success.

In my industry, success is one of the best ways to "pay it forward." I often ask my leaders how I can help or thank them for their guidance, and they tell me to succeed. I do the same for those I coach and mentor. Recently, I was promoted and shared this success with my team. My leader affirmed that my growth not only shows appreciation but also proves their guidance is effective. Sometimes, the best thank you is simply winning.

One thing that I’ve found is that when you are continuing to work on personal growth, regardless of what business or industry you’re in, you will always be successful and progress and reach the goals and which you have set.

What is the most 'human' thing you can do to make someone great feel special? The great leaders among us deserve the best praise. They should be encouraged publically, too. Here are some thoughts on doing this: 1. Be Specific: Highlight specific actions or decisions your boss made that positively impacted you. 2. Use a Personal Touch: A handwritten note or a face-to-face thank you adds sincerity. 3. Public Acknowledgment: Praise their efforts in team meetings or company communications. In essence, you should ask yourself the question "what make me feel special?"... then do that!

Rather than focusing on traditional methods of showing appreciation, such as gifts or public praise, consider the alignment of values and mutual respect. Leaders should act as mentors and coaches, fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and appreciated. Engage in work that energises you and supports the collective vision of the organisation. This creates a more authentic and supportive workplace culture, where two-way appreciation is expressed through daily actions and shared successes

It's nice to see this post about appreciation 'upwards'. We often demand things from leaders and those above us in the hierarchy and we forget to give praise. I would suggest that it's worth asking they what their preferences are with regards to receiving praise. The suggestion above is about giving public praise - I would still ask that person what and how they like to be praised (for example, I am not a fan of public praise - so that would not work for me).