When a colleague announces their departure, the way you say goodbye can affirm your professional relationship and leave a lasting positive impression. Taking a moment to offer a thoughtful farewell is a small but meaningful professional courtesy. This act reinforces your own reputation as a supportive and gracious colleague, maintaining morale and preserving connections within your professional network.
Key Elements of a Farewell Message
A well-crafted farewell message serves as a concise and positive conclusion to your working relationship. It should begin with a direct and sincere wish for their success in their new endeavor.
Following the opening, include a brief, personalized, and positive memory or a specific compliment about their work. You might recall a successful project you worked on together or a quality you admired in them, such as their dedication or creativity.
Conclude by expressing that their presence or specific contributions will be missed. This acknowledges the impact they had on the team or on you personally. You can also include a low-pressure offer to stay in touch, such as suggesting connecting on a professional networking platform.
What to Say Based on Your Relationship
The nature of your message will naturally shift depending on the specific relationship you had with the departing coworker. The words you choose should reflect the level of closeness and the context of your interactions, ensuring the sentiment is both appropriate and genuine.
For a Close Colleague
With a close colleague, your message can be warmer and more personal. You might reference shared experiences or inside jokes that highlight your bond. For instance, you could say, “I’m going to miss our coffee breaks and your incredible ability to solve any spreadsheet problem. The office won’t be the same without you, but I am so excited for your new role. Let’s be sure to catch up soon.”
Another approach is to focus on the support they provided. A message like, “Thank you for always being a sounding board and for your support on the big campaign last year. I’ve learned so much from working with you.” This acknowledges both their professional and personal impact.
For a Coworker You Don’t Know Well
When saying goodbye to a coworker you don’t know well, the message should remain professional, sincere, and concise. A simple and effective message could be, “It was a pleasure working with you. Best of luck in your new position.”
To add a bit more substance, you can reference their general contribution to the team. For example, “Wishing you all the best in your next chapter. Your dedication to the team’s projects was always appreciated.”
For a Manager or Mentor
When addressing a departing manager or mentor, the tone should be one of respect and gratitude. Focus on the guidance and opportunities they provided. You might say, “Thank you so much for your leadership and guidance over the past few years. I truly appreciate the opportunities you gave me to grow in my role.”
It is also effective to mention a specific skill or piece of advice they gave you that has had a lasting impact. For instance, “I learned so much from your approach to client negotiations. That skill is something I will carry with me throughout my career. Thank you for everything, and I wish you the best.”
How to Deliver Your Message
The method you choose to deliver your farewell message should align with your relationship and the workplace environment. For colleagues you worked with closely, a brief, one-on-one conversation is often the most personal and meaningful approach.
In many offices, a group farewell card is a common practice. Writing a short, sincere message in a shared card is a simple way to contribute to the collective send-off. This is an excellent option for wishing any colleague well, regardless of how closely you worked with them.
For a more formal or private message, especially if you won’t see the person before their last day, sending a personal email or a direct message on a platform like Slack or Microsoft Teams is appropriate. This method works well for managers or for colleagues with whom you want to share a more detailed note of appreciation. Speaking up during a farewell meeting or virtual call is another way to publicly wish someone well, reinforcing the team’s collective appreciation.
What to Avoid Saying
While it is important to know what to say, it is equally necessary to understand what to avoid. Refrain from complaining about the company, your boss, or other colleagues. A farewell is not the time to air grievances.
Avoid asking intrusive questions, particularly about their new salary or compensation package. This is private information, and inquiring about it can make the person uncomfortable. Similarly, do not make passive-aggressive comments like, “I wish I could leave too,” which can shift the focus and introduce negativity into the conversation.
Finally, do not make their departure about the inconvenience it causes you. Comments such as, “Now who will I ask for help with reports?” can sound self-centered. Also, resist the urge to ask for their leftover office supplies or equipment. Keep the focus positive and centered on wishing them well in their future.