I’m not even that nice

by Alison Green on June 19, 2007

Apparently I am engaging in some sort of deviant workplace behavior.

I like to email short notes to people when they strike me as particularly awesome — and cc their boss. I never do it unless it’s sincere, but it’s not hard to find opportunities. Sometimes I send the note to their boss directly, with the person I’m talking about cc’d.

It’s weird how unusual this seems to be.

Why aren’t more people doing this? It makes people feel good, it pretty much guarantees that they’ll keep up their awesomeness since everyone wants to be as cool as others think they are, they’ll be more inclined to help you out in the future, and it might inspire other people in your office to start doing the same thing, which could actually have a not insignificant impact on how nice of a place it is to work.

Seriously, send a note today to someone who you think is a rock star. Stick their boss in the cc field. If you can’t think of anyone who deserves this, send it to someone great who you deal with at another company (and then start plotting your escape from wherever you’re currently working).

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{ 8 comments }

{ 8 comments… read them below }

  1. bruce*

    I’m ashamed to admit that this never even occurred to me. I always thank individuals in person, but this is a great idea.

    Thanks.

  2. Evil HR Lady*

    I like to do this as well. It helps that I have access to the entire organizational structure of the company so even if I don’t know someone’s boss I can look it up.

    I love it when people do the same for me.

  3. Wally Bock*

    Even without the CC to the boss, thank you notes work wonders. My mother wrote three every day of her adult life. I’ve tried to emaulate that behavior. It’s amazining how much it means to others.

  4. Adeline*

    Would you do this even if you weren’t a manager and the note was about one of your peers?

    I ask because I feel inclined to send someone a note of praise but feel a little uncomfortable with that since we’re both on the same rung of the company ladder. I’m worried it might come off as condescending.

  5. Ask a Manager*

    Adeline: Yes, absolutely! In fact, I’ve seen other people start to do it in my office lately (yay) and I’ve seen it done peer to peer without feeling condescending. Seriously, your peer will probably be really appreciative.

  6. sarah*

    so, at a new job, is it ok to send an email to the boss letting her know how helpful certain people have been so far (and NOT cc’ing the coworkers in question)? or is that seen as some form of sucking up?

  7. Shane Watson*

    Honestly, I wish more people would do this. I’d be happy to have people filling my supervisor’s inbox with good news. Besides, I like keeping a folder with emails like those to help pick me up during a rough day.

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