Everyone likely knows someone in their organisation they would like to shout about. A heartfelt, genuine note about one’s work can be such a gift – it not only brings joy in the moment, but can also be helpful for the recipient when it’s time for a promotion, a job hunt, or a morale boost during a tough time at work.

Here are four ways to show appreciation for your colleagues and co-workers.

1. The personal note

When was the last time you got a personal thank-you card in the actual mail, with a postage stamp and everything? A personal thank-you that moves someone should have substance, specificity, and feeling. For example:

“Dear [colleague name],

When you invited me to speak to your class, I was honoured. But that opportunity to raise awareness about my organisation and our mission turned into much more.

I really appreciate your vote of confidence in me as a guest speaker, and I am so excited and thankful for the student connections this helped create. Thank you for being a thoughtful partner and colleague.”

2. The LinkedIn recommendation

When you write a thoughtful, high-quality LinkedIn recommendation, it’s as good as gold. Not only can people like recruiters or interviewers view the endorsement, the person you write it for can also use it on their website, resume, and other places that help build their credibility and visibility.

And since LinkedIn is public, this gesture reflects on the sender, too, setting the tone for what kind of recommendation you might get in return. Make sure you do a specific and enthusiastic job. For instance:

“[Colleague name] is an operations wiz who’s been keeping our office moving smoothly and efficiently since the day she joined our team.

She streamlined our invoicing methods, brought us into the 21st century with a new online payroll system and direct deposit, and built relationships with our regular vendors that have helped save the organisation money.”

3. The Facebook review

Reviews are one of the first things that appear when you visit a Facebook business page. Consider rating and reviewing a colleague’s organisation on Facebook, and giving them a shout-out for a job well done. For example:

“I had the pleasure of working with [colleague name] during our recent food drive, and I am so impressed by how organised and energetic he and his whole team is.

He communicates proactively and clearly with drop-off volunteers so they know what to do and what to expect, and always has a heartfelt ‘thank you’ for everyone making a donation or volunteering their time.”

4. The email to their supervisor

This last tactic is widely underappreciated and underused. Think about how great it would feel to hear from your boss that someone else had relayed positive feedback about you to them. Here’s a sample:

“Dear [supervisor name],

I just had to send a note to you to let you know how helpful, organised, and kind [colleague name] is. We had a miscommunication on our end about the meeting last week, and she got us straightened out and back on track without missing a beat.

What a great asset she is!”

There’s no time like the present to send a little kindness and gratitude out into the world, so stop waiting and start writing!

This article first appeared in jobstore.com, an online job site that specialises in providing jobseekers with the latest job opportunities by matching talented individuals with reputable companies in Malaysia. Find your dream job with over 40,000 job vacancies in Malaysia.