How to write thank you notes to coworkers (+ 43 examples)

Telling loved ones you appreciate them or offering a “Thank you” gift to a friend might come naturally to you. But coworkers deserve thanks, too. 

Most jobs involve collaborating with colleagues to reach goals, taking and offering help constantly. You share expertise, navigate roadblocks, and even provide emotional support. And showing appreciation with a thoughtful thank you note to a coworker is an admirable way to improve workplace relationships and remind you of the assets at your fingertips.

The importance of saying “Thank you” to coworkers

You may think of workplace rewards as a raise or a kudos shout-out at the team meeting. Perhaps you learn a new skill you’re proud of or reach a challenging goal. 

Despite these rewards, you can’t overlook the power of saying “Thank you.” Showing gratitude for a colleague’s efforts reminds them that you appreciate them and that they’re an integral part of the team’s success. It can also spur positive emotions, make you more resilient, and improve your physical health. 

And while salary bumps and other perks are acts of gratitude, it’s not always in your power to offer coworkers these things. But you can write a thank you note or pull someone aside to show appreciation. Doing so says, “I see you and your hard work.” 

A “Thank you” can be particularly powerful when it comes from a leader. Not only does recognition from a “higher-up” feel good for the person who receives it, but these acts of gratitude foster a more humble, less hierarchical environment. It’s an act of mutual respect. 

Showing appreciation: Why the little things matter

Acts of gratitude don’t have to be grand. Often it’s the message and the human element of the action that count. 

There’s a reason you hang on to greeting cards from loved ones and doodles from your kids. These little gestures took effort, foresight, and initiative. Leaving a thank you note on a coworker’s desk or pinging them in Slack shows them that their hard work so moved you that you took time out of your day to craft a thoughtful message. And picking up a coffee for a cubicle mate to thank them for their daily moral support demonstrates that you’re thinking of them outside of work and listening — closely enough to know their preference for oat milk lattes. 

Little gestures show heart. They’re the kinds of acts people revisit to remember their value.

43 thank you note ideas to show coworker appreciation

When writing a thank you note to a coworker, follow your instincts and let the ink flow. The act should be as natural and heartfelt as possible. That doesn’t mean you can’t take a little inspiration from others’ words to say thank you and show appreciation. Here are 43 ways to express gratitude.

Appreciation messages

When a colleague repeatedly demonstrates a stand-out quality or behavior, send an appreciation message. This note reminds the person of the impact they make.

Here are 11 examples of words of appreciation for good work done by a team or individual:

1. I appreciate your willingness to always take on new tasks.

2. I appreciate your positive attitude. The team benefits from your energy.

3. I’m glad I get to work with such a great team. You all make every day a bit better. 

4. I appreciate the feedback. You always deliver solid constructive criticism. 

5. Your dedication to this project is incredible. I appreciate your hard work, especially in challenging moments. 

6. I’m so grateful I get to learn from you all. Thank you for sharing your talents. 

7. I appreciate your honesty. You brought this issue to our attention just in time. 

8. I appreciate that you always ask how I’m doing. It makes me feel seen.

9. You bring out the best in your teammates. I appreciate your ability to let others shine.

10. I appreciate your patience. You make it comfortable for us all to learn new things. 

11. I admire your willingness to learn. You inspire me to take on new challenges.

Thank-you notes

Thank-you notes are excellent for one-off occasions when a coworker steps up. Use the following thank-you greetings examples as a guide: 

1. Thanks for pointing out my mistake in such a gentle way the other day.

2. Thank you for stepping up this month and taking on extra work. We couldn’t have done it without you. 

3. Thank you for your help and support during a tough moment earlier today.

4. Thank you for giving such an excellent presentation. We all have a lot to learn from you. 

5. Thanks for your mentorship. You’ve helped me find the confidence I need for this new job. 

6. Thanks for bringing dessert for all your team members. You’re always looking out for others. 

7. Thank you for all your help on that last-minute price quote. We may be getting an exciting new opportunity out of it.

8. Thank you for always listening to my ideas with such intention.

9. I’m grateful for your clear instructions. They made my work far more manageable. 

10. Thank you for welcoming me to the company so warmly.

11. Thank you for checking in on me.

Motivational messages

A round of thanks can help when coworkers are at their lowest. Take a moment to remind them how talented and valuable they are. Here are 10 examples of how to thank someone when they need a boost of workplace motivation: 

1. I know you’ve been taking on a lot lately. Your hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed. 

2. It’s been a tough month, but thanks to your efforts, we’ve completed a project we never thought possible.

3. You handled that difficult situation with the client with exceptional grace. You’re an example to us all. 

4. Thank you for sharing some of the things you’ve been struggling with here at the office. We appreciate you and will support you as best we can. 

5. You’re so close to the finish line. Keep up the great work. 

6. Thank you for sharing that you've been dealing with some difficult matters outside of work. We’re here to support you.

7. It’s been a while since we’ve had a chance to catch up. I just wanted to say you’re doing an excellent job. 

8. Thanks for being honest about your boundaries. I’ll be careful to respect them. 

9. Thank you for pointing out how overtasked you were. You were taking on too much, and we’re happy to delegate.

10. We know this new role comes with a new set of challenges, but you’re acing it. Yes, even on those tough days.

11. Thanks for letting me know you feel burned out. What can I do to support you better? 

Last day at the office messages

The following messages let colleagues moving on to a new opportunity know how much you’ve enjoyed working with and learning from them. Insert personal anecdotes to demonstrate how memorable the experience of working with this person has been: 

1. We’re going to miss having you. You brought so much joy to this office. 

2. We’re so grateful for the lessons you’ve taught us. We wish you luck as you do the same for others in your new role. 

3. You may be leaving, but your positive impact on the organization will stay with us. Thank you for your hard work. 

4. We’re sad to see you go but more grateful to have met you.

5. Thanks for being such a great friend at work. I hope we’ll stay in touch outside of the office. 

6. It’s been a pleasure having you as a mentor. We’ve all learned what it means to be a superb leader. 

7. Thank you for taking a chance on this company when it was just starting. We couldn’t have grown to where we are today without you. 

8. I’ll never forget when you helped me put together that last-minute presentation — thanks so much for your constant support. 

9. Thank you for your many years of dedication to this company. Even though you’re leaving, you’ll always be part of the family. 

10. It’s been a privilege working with you. Your future colleagues are in for a pleasant surprise. 

What to avoid in thank you notes

Straightforward, well-intentioned thank you messages very rarely go wrong. But here are a few missteps worth avoiding when drafting your gratitude notes: 

• Don’t be too cheeky: It’s fine to keep a thankvyou letter lighthearted, but avoid a potentially offensive joke. The recipient might interpret “Do you ever make a mistake?” or “Is there anything you can’t do?” as criticisms or demands to uphold an unhealthily intense work ethic. 

• Don’t center yourself: When expressing thanks, let them revel in the moment fully. Avoid turning the compliment back in on yourself, like saying “You’re such an asset to my success. Together we’re unstoppable,” or “You’re doing so well, you’ll soon be taking my job.” 

• Don’t generalize: Example thank you messages are simply templates. When writing your note, use real anecdotes and words that accurately describe your experience of working with this colleague. 

• Don’t get too personal: Avoid touching on personal subjects in workplace thank you notes, as they could trigger negative emotions or fringe on privacy violations. You may want to acknowledge that someone is struggling, but leave it at that. Resist adding things like, “I heard your mom passed,” or comments that make assumptions about a person’s mental health. 

• Avoid superlatives: Thank you notes should make a person feel good without making their peers feel bad. Avoid phrasing like “best coworker” or “no one works as hard as you do.” 

Thank you: two words that go a long way

Writing a thank you note to a coworker isn’t just a kind act. It boosts employee engagement, creates more inclusive workplaces, and benefits those showing gratitude. The next time someone deserves praise, don’t think twice about leaving them a note.

Leaders can encourage a gratitude-positive company culture by setting an example. Don’t just show appreciation when colleagues go the extra mile. Thank coworkers for being honest in difficult times, taking accountability for errors, and speaking up when they’re struggling or feel burned out.