Saying ‘thank you’ more often at work can have a very powerful impact. Adam Grant considers appreciation to be “one of the single most sustainable motivators at work”. The best part? According to a survey by Deloitte, for the day-to-day, the best recognition may be the easiest – just say ‘thank you’.
The business case for gratitude is clear, but sometimes we need some new words and expressions to adequately express how thankful we feel. But are there other ways of expressing appreciation? How do we say ‘thank you’ in a professional way?
If you’re stuck in a rut of ‘thank you so much’ and ‘thanks a lot’, here are some effective tips and alternatives that are perfect for showing gratitude and appreciation at work.
Expressing gratitude in the workplace
There must be something that makes gratitude so good. Expressing gratitude in the workplace can go a long way in fostering a positive and productive environment. Whether you’re thanking a colleague for their help on a project or your boss for giving you the opportunity to lead, a simple ‘thank you’ can make all the difference.
4 tips on how to professionally say ‘thank you’
A simple ‘Thank You’ can go a long way. Before you learn other ways to say it, there are some best practices that will help you express your gratitude at work in a safe, effective way.
1. Be genuine. For your appreciation message to sound meaningful, it has to be sincere. If your underlying goals are about achieving something else, it will be noticed and not received well.
2. Say ‘thank you’ quickly. The most effective ‘thank you’ is the one that happens right after an action is performed. Delaying your gratitude will make it less effective and potentially more awkward.
3. Be specific about what you are grateful for. You can provide some context before the words ‘thank you’. For example: “I heard you’re helping us with the email marketing campaign. That is very thoughtful of you. Thank you!”
4. Keep it short. Being specific and making it personal doesn’t mean you should elaborate on why you’re grateful for hours. We’re all busy, so keep it sweet and to the point.
Other Ways to Say Thank you
When it comes to expressing gratitude in the workplace, there are a number of different ways that you can do so. Below are just a few examples of how you can express gratitude towards your colleagues and superiors:
Thanking your boss for their guidance and support
Thanking a colleague for their help on a project
Sending a thank you note to someone who has gone above and beyond their job duties
Bringing in treats for the office as a way to say thank you to everyone for their hard work
Publicly acknowledging someone’s good work in a team meeting or company-wide email
There are many ways to say ‘thank you’ in the workplace, depending on the situation. Below are some common phrases and expressions you can use.
Thank you for…
The best and most simple way to say ‘thank you’ is to give a reason. Tell them exactly what you are thankful for. Here are some examples:
Thank you for your help with this project
Thank you for being flexible.
Thanks for your hard work on this.
Thank you for taking the time to do this.
Thank you for your input on this matter.
Thank you for your advice.
Thank you for your support.
I wanted to thank you for all your help.
Thank you very much.
Thank you so much.
Thanks a lot.
Thanks a bunch!
Informal way of saying thank you. It works well with colleagues and peers.
Thanks a million!
‘Thanks a million!’ is also an informal way of saying thank you that you can use with peers.
Many thanks (for giving me this opportunity).
I can’t thank you enough.
I’m very thankful for what you’ve done.
How can I thank you enough?
I really appreciate it.
This phrase can be used in both formal and informal situations to show that you value what someone has done for you. You may also say ‘I really appreciate everything you’ve done’. Or even better: make it specific! For example, ‘I appreciate your help with this’.
Much appreciated.
Perfect for a quick email, text, or even a brief conversation to say thanks in a big way but on a small scale.
I sincerely appreciate…
‘Sincerely’ makes the phrase more formal.
I am grateful for your support.
I am beyond grateful.
A heartfelt thank you for when someone truly goes the extra mile to help you.
That was very thoughtful of you.
If someone does something particularly considerate, this is a great way to let them know that their actions meant a lot to you. You can also say ‘That was very kind of you’. You can also say ‘You’re so thoughtful’.
Cheers
An informal and quick way of saying ‘thanks’.
This means a lot.
It means the world (to me).
It’s not always easy to explain how important or valuable someone’s contributions are. Saying ‘it means the world’ is a way of telling the other person that what they did is of great importance to you.
You made my day! Seriously, thank you.
A sweet ‘thank you’ for when someone makes you happy by something they’ve done.
I owe you one.
This ‘thank you’ alternative lets them know you plan to return the favor.
I owe you big time.
A very informal way to acknowledge that the other person did a big favor to you.
You are always so helpful.
You’re too kind.
I value the insights and guidance you provide.
Rather formal way of expressing gratitude.
I want to acknowledge how much you’ve done.
Tell your colleagues and subordinates that their efforts aren’t going unnoticed.
I couldn’t have done it without you.
Please accept my deepest gratitude.
Very formal. It may be used in a professional letter or an important speech.
Conclusion
We hope you found this list of +20 other ways to say ‘thank you’ at work helpful. Whether you’re looking for a way to thank your boss, your coworkers, or your clients, one of these phrases is sure to do the trick.
Follow our four tips to perfect your professional thanks-giving skills and save some of the phrases and examples on this blog post.
And if you’re ever stuck for something to say, remember that a simple ‘thank you’ can go a long way.
Keep developing your workplace communication skills with Talaera. We will create a business communication program tailored to your needs and interests.
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