I'm sure you've heard the importance of handwritten notes by now. You may not be writing them (hint); but you know they are a big deal. And while any handwritten note will make a big impression on the recipient, why not hone your style so that it blows people away? Here is an example of a well written note from a senior leader to a junior leader that asked to meet with him to discuss some problem areas and ways to improve them.
John!
I was just thinking about how much I enjoyed our lunch yesterday. THANK YOU for giving your valuable time to me to hang out and share your thoughts on how we can become a better leadership team. Your years of experience in technology and your loyalty to our cause is a big deal to me. You are a stud and I am proud to make this journey with you and call you my friend. If I can ever do anything for you or your family, consider it done. Your friend, Jack.
Things to notice and apply to your own thank you note style:
- Write it within 24 hours of whatever caused you to write the note.
- ACKNOWLEDGE their time and courage it took to take the CEO to lunch.
- RECOGNIZE what's important to them. In this case, their years of experience and loyalty.
- GET PUNCHY with a purposely non-professional compliment that anyone would love to receive. ("You are a stud and...")
- OFFER your help to them or their family. Adding their family is a big deal and tells them they've earned your friendship beyond work.
- "Your friend, Jack" Remember, Jack is the owner or the CEO or a senior leader. But this says, our friendship is more noteworthy than my title.
It's not a formula; but try this out and practice it a dozen times and you'll be a pro at writing thank you notes that won't soon be forgotten.
