Positive feedback for colleagues

20 short messages for the person who helped you, taught you or made your week easier.

Feedback from a colleague carries a different weight from feedback from a manager. It tells the person their work mattered to someone who works beside them, with nothing to gain by saying so.

Short messages

For a chat or an email.

Thanks, [name]. Your help with [task] saved me an hour today.

Thanks for the help

That was a great answer you gave the client. It settled the question.

Quick win

Thank you for answering my questions this week. It made starting the new job much easier.

For being there

Thank you for covering my calls on Thursday. I know it was a busy day for you too.

For covering

Your idea about [topic] was the best one in the meeting. I am glad you said it.

For a good idea

Thanks for sending the notes from the course. I used 2 of the ideas already.

For sharing

After a project

Longer messages once the work is done.

Thank you all for [project]. [Name] kept us on schedule, [name] handled the client, and [name] fixed the problems we found at the end. I enjoyed working with you.

Thanks to the team

[Name], your work on [part of project] made the whole thing possible. I want you to know it was seen.

Thanks to one person

Thank you for staying late on Tuesday to finish [task]. We would not have made the deadline without you.

Thanks for staying

When I look back at [project], the part that went best was [what the person did]. Thank you.

Looking back

Thank you to [name] in [team] for turning my request around so quickly. It let us meet the date.

To someone in another team

For a new starter

Welcome, [name]. You asked good questions in your first week, and it is already clear you will fit in.

First week

In your first month, you have picked up [task] quickly. Thank you for the care you have taken.

First month

The way you handled [situation] last week impressed everyone. It was a good start.

Making an impression

For someone who helped you personally

Thank you for covering for me when I was away. I know it was extra work.

During a hard time

I was stuck on [problem] and you showed me the way through in 10 minutes. Thank you.

When you were stuck

Thank you for listening on Tuesday. It was helpful to talk it through with you.

For listening

You are always willing to help when people ask. Thank you.

For being kind

Questions

How do you give positive feedback to a coworker?

Say what they did, what difference it made, and thank them. Do it soon after, in person or in writing.

Should positive feedback to a colleague be public?

Ask the person if you can. Some people like a public mention. Others prefer a private word.