Table of Contents

1. Nominate Your Boss for Recognition
2. Donate to their Favorite Charity
3. Ask Them for Advice
4. Give a Gift
5. Write a Thank-You Note
6. Respect Their Time
7. Be Friendly and Cheerful

You have an amazing boss, and you want to show your appreciation. But how do you do that without looking like you’re just kissing up?

First, what not to do: Don’t go big, and don’t make it about you. Big, dramatic gestures will attract the attention of your coworkers and will probably lead to speculation that you’re trying to curry favor. They could also make your boss uncomfortable. And any effort at appreciation that involves showing off what a great employee you are will similarly make people think you’re trying to be the “boss’s pet.”

Instead, say thank you with low-key actions that are in line with workplace etiquette and that don’t make you stand out. Here are some options.

1. Nominate Your Boss for Recognition

If your company has employee recognition programs like a Manager of the Month award, nominate your boss. Find out if he or she belongs to professional organizations that recognize their members; you may be able to nominate your boss for some of those awards, too. Receiving an award is very gratifying, and it will give your boss something special to add to his or her resume. And nominating your boss shouldn’t look like kissing up because it’s a normal thing to do—that’s just how professional recognition works.

2. Donate to their Favorite Charity

Is your boss passionate about a particular charity, like March of Dimes or Boys’ and Girls Clubs of America? Giving a donation in their honor is a heartfelt way to show you appreciate them. A small, standard-sized donation of $25 is appropriate and shouldn’t raise any eyebrows at work.

3. Ask Them for Advice

This one may be counterintuitive, but asking your boss for advice can be a good way to show appreciation. It demonstrates that you don’t view them as simply someone who supervises you but that you also value their opinion as a person. Taking their advice seriously and applying it to your work emphasizes your respect for what they have to say. And because being mentored by a boss is commonplace, there’s no reason for this to make you seem like a brown noser.

4. Give a Gift

Walking into the office on a random Thursday with a lavish gift basket will likely cause your coworkers to look askance, so confine your gift-giving to days when it’s acceptable in your workplace. At many companies, good times to give gifts are the holiday season around Christmas and New Year’s, and Boss’s Day, which is usually October 16th (or the closest workday). Choose something small and tasteful like a potted plant or a nice package of coffee.

5. Write a Thank-You Note

Writing a note is a time-honored way to convey appreciation. Choose a blank notecard or a card that says “Thank you.” Keep it short: Think three to five sentences, not a full-page essay. Briefly mention some things your boss does that you’re grateful for, such as training or mentoring you, or some of their best qualities, like patience or creativity. Hand the note to your boss privately, or put it in the mail.

6. Respect Their Time

It can be really frustrating for managers when the people they supervise don’t pay attention or don’t follow their directions. To show appreciation for your boss, make sure this isn’t you. Listen carefully every time your boss explains a new task so you don’t have to ask them to repeat anything. Check your work thoroughly so your boss doesn’t have to correct any mistakes. This is a meaningful way to respect your boss, and it shouldn’t look like brown-nosing because it’s just doing your job.

7. Be Friendly and Cheerful

You always greet guests with a smile and a friendly, “How are you?” or, “How was your stay?” You can show how much your boss means to you by adopting a similarly friendly attitude with him or her, too. After all, it can be demoralizing for managers if their employees start each shift with grumbling and complaints. Accept new assignments graciously, and try not to vent to your boss when the work gets tough. Maintaining a pleasant demeanor around your boss shows that you care about their feelings even on the busiest days.