Letters of Appreciation to Team Members

It’s always a good practice to recognize the efforts of your team members. Communicating with the people who lend you a hand is one of the best ways to strengthen your work relationships and build your network. Everyone likes to be appreciated, and most people do their best work when they feel a level of personal satisfaction.

What's the best way to let your team know that they are appreciated? One of the quickest and easiest ways is to write a letter of appreciation to your team members when they do something outstanding. Your letter can be sent via mail or email and should express your thanks for a job well done.

How to Relay Your Thanks

The size of your company, your relationship with the team members and team leader, and the scope of the project can all affect how you choose to send your letter, note, or email, or otherwise show your gratitude to your employees.

Sending the message by email will get it there immediately, and the note can also be copied to supervisors or human resources (HR) managers who may want a record for the employee’s file. 

What to Include in Your Letter

In your letter of appreciation, be specific about your team member's contribution to a project.

• Recognize the skills and experiences the person used to assist with the project and mention how they helped the team accomplish their goals.
• Thank them for the time and effort they shared.
• You can also mention that their willingness to help will be brought to the attention of upper management.

While most people are willing to help another team when they can, letting them know that their efforts will be noted to the people making wage, bonus, and promotion decisions will provide them with a tangible token of appreciation for their efforts.

Sample Appreciation Letters

Here are some sample appreciation letters and messages for a team member at work. Use these examples to get ideas for what to include in your own letters.

Formal Appreciation Letter Example

A formal business letter should be formatted with the contact names and addresses at the beginning of the letter, as well as with a handwritten signature above your typed name at the close.

Appreciation Note Example

A note card is a less formal way to show your appreciation to a team member. A handwritten note should contain the date on the card before the salutation.

Appreciation Email Example

Sending an email is the quickest and easiest way to let your team know you appreciate their efforts. You might want to copy the person’s supervisor and upper management, as well. If you are sending an email message, the subject line of the message can simply say thank you.