Whether you’re a higher-up or an entry-level employee, like most people, you probably feel unappreciated at work. Maybe you get an earful when you make a mistake or feel lucky to even get a cursory “good job” while walking down the hallway.
The top teams and companies understand the importance of showing thanks for a job well done. It’s easy when the boss gives gifts to employees, but what happens when the roles switch? While many bosses would appreciate a nice gift, employees need to be cautious that their gestures of gratitude don’t convey the wrong idea.
The Challenge of Gifting Upward
When giving the boss a gift, you have to watch out for two potential obstacles.
First, many offices simply don’t have a culture of gift-giving. In this scenario, if you do choose to gift upward, you must do so in a way that draws as little attention as possible to avoid a lot of raised eyebrows.
Second, our natural human selfishness leads us to suspect others of selfish motives. Gifting is sometimes taboo in corporate culture because no one wants to be seen as the person trying to get ahead by stacking the deck — even if it’s just a small gesture of thanks.
Picking the Right Present
Selecting the right gift for a manager comes with its own minefield of problems, but there are a couple ways to choose something thoughtful while toeing the line between generic and overly intimate.
If your manager has a family, especially children, consider giving something that isn’t limited to use by just one person. A set of drinking glasses or something else with general utility is not only a useful gift, but it’s one that includes other people in the manager’s circle without singling him or her out as the recipient.
Personalized gifts can be great, but the more personal the gift, the better understanding the employee should have of the manager’s preferences. If you share an interest in golf or wine with your director, a gift themed around those interests could be a thoughtful gesture. However, if you don’t share that interest, err on the side of caution. The last thing an avid golfer wants is to receive a golf-themed gift from someone who has never set foot on a course, just as the last thing a wine lover wants is a bottle from someone who prefers iced tea.
Avoid clothing altogether. Your boss might be a huge fan of a baseball team but absolutely hate sweatshirts and hats with big logos. Style is a personal choice, so don’t accidentally impose your own on someone else.
4 Tips for Gifting Gracefully
Whatever you decide to give, the way you present it to your boss makes the difference between a genuine gesture and a self-serving one. Follow these tips to ensure your gift is received the way you want it to be:
1. Keep it private.
Don’t show up to the office with a giant pink box covered in streamers and proudly approach your boss with it in the break room. Instead, give the gift privately and without fanfare. You don’t need to be there for the opening — simply give the gift and say, “Thank you for being supportive of me” or “Thank you for giving me the lead on this.”
2. Avoid office presents.
Give something that the boss and his family will use, not something that has to sit on his desk at work for all to see. Avoid office decorations entirely, unless you’re very close. People’s personal tastes vary greatly, and the last thing you want to do is turn what should be a thoughtful gift into something your boss feels pressured to display at work. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but make it something your boss can take home.
3. Attach significance.
Attach the gift to a specific event or action to give it more meaning. Don’t give something for a birthday or holiday (unless that’s the norm). Instead, make it clear that your gift is to show appreciation for something your boss did. Whether your boss is regularly supportive of your continued education or gave you a big one-time boost on a project, verbalize the meaning behind the gesture.
4. Write a note.
It’s old-school, but most people don’t think about the power of a handwritten note. Leaders are always wondering whether they do a good job, and a small card attached to a thoughtful gift is one of the simplest ways to have the biggest impact. Be specific and short with your praise to ensure your note feels sincere and personal.
Don’t be afraid to buck the stigma. If your boss deserves a gift, follow these steps to choose the right one and present it appropriately. Done properly, your gift will not be seen as an underhanded attempt at a raise, but as a genuinely thoughtful and classy gesture of appreciation.