When someone under your command does an exceptional job at something, and you want to encourage that behavior, then you should write a letter to acknowledge a job well done. It may seem like just a letter and won’t accomplish anything; however, acknowledging good performance at work does a lot in the long run for the workplace.
Whether it’s a public letter or sent just to one person, I believe that you shouldn’t shower the recipient with praise, as it can get to their head, in fact they may not take your opinion seriously, if you easily give away such praise. You should make every single word of yours worth a lot to maintain a healthy work environment. So, I suggest that you do include some suggestions for improvement in your letter, even if you have had to nitpick them.
All said and done, the fact that you’re writing such a letter means that you have done well as a boss, so give yourself a pat on the back before you begin writing. Here’s a sample to assist you:
Sample Letter of Acknowledgement for a Job Well Done
Jeffery Goodman
CEO
Morry & Ford
1596 Huntz Lane
Leominster, MA 01453
January 19, 2017
Ms. Marina Santos
Creative Designer
Morry & Ford
Dear Ms. Marina:
I have to say, I was not sure about giving you this task; however, you have proved to be the correct choice after all. Your performance so far has proven that you are a reliable employee. I am writing to let you know that I think you did a great job with the project.
There were a few things I wish you had done differently, which I will discuss with you in person, and I would like you to consult me while working on your projects, to make sure that such mistakes do not occur again. However, overall, it was something that has set the standard for everyone else in your department. I will write a public email to let everyone in your department know how well you have done.
I want you to encourage the same attitude with all your teammates, because if there is one thing I like, that is when someone helps others excel. I want you to keep up the good work, so that I may be able to hand you over even bigger projects in the future.
Sincerely,
(Signature)
Jeffery Goodman
CEO