Merrian-Webster defines “Thanks” as “a good feeling 
that you have towards someone who has helped you, given something to you, etc. : something done or said to express thanks —used as a less formal way to say “thank you” —often.“
My colleagues at Atara Bio gave me an incredible heartfelt goodbye thanks (video here) when I moved on. Individually, I thanked some 100+ Atarians on my way out as well. Apart from being good manners, it never hurts to express thanks to the people who have helped you.
Saying “thank you” is one of the easiest, most powerful things you can do. Simple real gratitude helps execs (and non execs alike) be more authentic, as well as effective, it’s a little behavior that pays huge dividend.
And yet, it’s not often done, and often not done well. And unless the thanks is consistent with other aspects – temper tantrums come to mind – it comes across as staged, as phony.
My fellow Willamette University alum Maxx Silver gave me thanks this past week for some help from years ago, and it’s a template you can use (and borrow) with his permission. Scroll to the bottom and I’ll walk through why Maxx’s note works so well.
“I’m not sure whether you’ll remember we, but we last spoke about five years ago as I was attempting to execute a significant professional transition. I was 25 and found you through the Willamette alumni network and you agreed to take my call.
I’ve often considered contacting you since then, and am finally now taking action.
Most of all, I want to say ‘thank you’, For whatever reason, your particular advice at that particular time had a significant impact on me.
You said several things that stuck with me. I remember you saying that you would always take a call from a fellow Bearcat. Over the last five years, I’ve found myself on the other side of that ask and have tried to honor that same principle. I tell those younger Bearcats that we have a unique connection, a shared understanding. Maybe that’s what you meant.
I also recall advice you gave about informational interviewing. You suggested that I ask people what they like and don’t like about their jobs, and whether they might know anybody that I should be talking to. I’ve used and shared that advice many times. You gave me a framework for informational interviewing; something I didn’t know I needed.
You also brought my attention to the power of the hand-written note. I’ve continued to notice this trait in others and have adopted this practice myself when possible (I did look for your address, but settled for LinkedIn when I couldn’t find one).
I share all of this because I have now been on the other side of these conversations, and I sometimes wonder whether my advice has made any difference. I wanted you to know the impact you had, and to thank you for answering the call.
So what have I been up to? After we last spoke, I took a job with a company whose values spoke to me. I started as a server in the restaurant of a culinary job-training program and later learned that I was in the right place at the right time.
Five years and a couple of promotions later, I manage the operational systems for the company that has doubled in size and am responsible for tech implementations, process improvement, project management, and the like. I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by truly remarkable and talented colleagues, many of whom I count as close friends.
Later this year I’ll be leaving FareStart and Seattle to spend some time with family before moving east to pursue a career in consulting. I plan to start with process improvement/tech implementation work but hope to gain footing in management consulting (which I now see you do) . I’m also studying for the GMAT and will be applying to B-schools later this year.
So that’s it; no ask, just a note to say ‘thank-you’ and let you know what my path has been and where I plan to go. I think that sometimes there’s something to be said for reaching out for reaching out’s sake.
Thanks again for the role that you played years ago. I’ve appreciated the impact.
With gratitude, Maxx”
So what makes this note so effective and impactful?
- It’s clearly written from the heart and it’s unexpected. Maxx thanked me at the time but a follow-up is unusual.
- Maxx identified how the advice had helped him and how he put it into good use.
- Maxx gave credit for advice that had been impactful; while little or large, it helps to acknowledge how the advice impacted him moving forward, not just helped him st the time.
So that’s it; give appreciation to others who have been there for you. Give thanks.