Thanking an amazing boss...

[buffettbride]

So, my boss is the best. She always makes the right choice, even if it is the hard one, and looks out for her people more than any other manager I know of in my department. While there is a guideline that managers meet with each of their employees monthly, not many managers pull it off. Mine does. She doesn't micro-manage, but has a clear grasp on what her employees are doing and what our clients think of us. She understands the need of a work/life balance and at the same time expects her employees to deliver quality on both accounts.

Tomorrow she meets with the director of my current client group and the VP in her reporting chain. Her boss (my director), is on her honeymoon and hasn't done a very good job addressing the issue of my project assignment that we've been trying to resolve since November. What should have been a simple conversation between directors to discuss my reassignment. Unfortunately, the director of my client group siezed the opportunity of my director being on her honeymoon to speak with the VP in my organization (my director's boss) to make his claim that I should continue providing communications support for his group.

This meeting will basically steamroll my boss. While she has a game plan, there's really no way she is going to win this one without someone to back her up. She knows this. I know this. But, she's doing it anyway because she knows what's best for her employees and will go to the ends of the earth to do the right thing for us.

Even though I know she is going to lose this battle and I'll be stuck in the land of IT process fuctards for another year, she is still deserving of thanks that I have no way to convey at the level it should be conveyed. I certainly can't send an acknowledgement to her boss, because if her boss (my director) had done what she was supposed to do, there would be no situation to resolve. Ditto for skipping that level and going to the VP, since he's the one who will let my client director get his way.

So, I need to do something for her so she knows how exceptional she is. Nothing fancy or expensive as she really has all the "things" she needs. Maybe someone around here has done something simple yet extremely effective and personal to thank someone for being so thoughtful.

[dean_siu]

Get her some In n' Out

[buffettbride]

Get her some In n' Out

Yeah. I'll just drive to the nearest drive-thru about 900 miles away.

[Marnin Grita Guy]

Mal, I think you just did exactly that. Make sure she sees this. To announce
openly your thoughts to others who do not even know her says a great deal.

Admiration is not something that can be bought but is given.

[ph4ever]

Get her some In n' Out

Yeah. I'll just drive to the nearest drive-thru about 900 miles away.

while you're there can you grab some for me and drop it by

[KeetAtHeart]

No good suggestions, but it says a lot that you are moved to admire her this way, even though you know you are going to get scr*wed. She must be a fantastic person - and I'll bet she has fantastic employees! (Present company included, of course). I'll bet she'll appreciate just about anything, as long as it's delivered with words like you wrote above.

You and she are lucky to have each other!

[CindaBee]

Write her a heartfelt letter explaining why you admire and like her. I just retired in September after 30 years with the most amazing boss EVER. He had much of the qualities you described. He is the most ethical, fair, and compassionate human I have ever known. He is a consumate leader and a powerful mentor. On the occasion of my retirement, he threw a wonderful party that was attended by our dean (we worked in a medical school) and the senior administration (as well as my lowly peeps). I had written a tribute to him that I read after the accolades he bestowed on me. I proudly report that it made him and his wife cry. The dean contacted me afterwards and asked me for a copy of what I had written to include in his file. So, not only did I get to say it, it will go down in his "permanent record." Singing his praises was the only gift I could think of that would have a wide impact.

[pbans]

I have to agree that a nice card with your sentiments would mean so much.....throw in a gift card to lunch, or for a pedicure.....I would also write a letter to HER boss, for the record!

[buffettbride]

I'm leaning toward a card with some sort of gift card goodie inside. She has a sweet tooth and there are a few ice cream shops downtown that I know she likes.

I'm hesitant to e-mail her boss because it is her boss' fault all of this is happening. If her boss had handled it directly in November, my poor boss lady wouldn't have to face icky-poopie-director and the VP of death tomorrow morning.

[creeky]

As a boss myself - what I really really appreciate more than anything is when my staff will just send me a short email with colourful graphics saying they appreciate what I did .... or I do ..... or anything ....

I also send them out to my team and boss regularly.

They are known as "colourful emails" - flourescent background - animated graphics with things like "you rock" or "this is why you are at the top of my thankful list" ...

WORDS mean more than things ...... just my 2c

Have it there ready to send the minute she gets back from the meeting would be a plan I would have!

[Catch&Release]

Gift certificate for dinner somewhere great with a note telling her how much you appreciate all she does for you and your company.

[Sanjuro's tequila]

... I'll be stuck in the land of IT process fuctards for another year,

We must work in the same place.

[buffettbride]

... I'll be stuck in the land of IT process fuctards for another year,

We must work in the same place.

I think you and I have the same b-day, too. Didn't you say you were born on Halloween?

Maybe we're super-secretly the same person.

[Sanjuro's tequila]

... I'll be stuck in the land of IT process fuctards for another year,

We must work in the same place.

I think you and I have the same b-day, too. Didn't you say you were born on Halloween?

Maybe we're super-secretly the same person.

No, no.. I'm not that lucky. Dial it back to the Summer solstice, and you have my birthday.

[buffettbride]

... I'll be stuck in the land of IT process fuctards for another year,

We must work in the same place.

I think you and I have the same b-day, too. Didn't you say you were born on Halloween?

Maybe we're super-secretly the same person.

No, no.. I'm not that lucky. Dial it back to the Summer solstice, and you have my birthday.

I must just be imagining myself new BN friends that don't actually exist.

[Sanjuro's tequila]

I must just be imagining myself new BN friends that don't actually exist.

It's ok, I'm real... and will be your BN friend!

[buffettbride]

I must just be imagining myself new BN friends that don't actually exist.

It's ok, I'm real... and will be your BN friend!

Fantastico!