15 Nice Things to Say About Your Boss in a Review

Giving your boss positive feedback can seem intimidating. But providing thoughtful comments in a review builds trust between you and your manager It also signals areas where your boss excels — and behaviors you’d like to see continue

When review time rolls around avoid vague praise or blanket statements. Instead offer targeted, meaningful feedback your boss can act on.

Here are 15 nice things to say about your boss in a review:

1. Recognize Their Communication Style

Maybe your manager sends weekly recaps to keep everyone looped in Or they actively listen during 1 1s to understand your point of view

Highlight how their communication style makes you feel informed, heard, and connected to company goals. For example:

• “I appreciate the weekly team updates. They help me feel aligned across projects.”
• “Thank you for taking the time to actively listen to my concerns. I always feel heard.”

Reinforcing productive communication sets the tone for your ongoing relationship.

2. Thank Them for Supporting Your Growth

Does your boss encourage you to take on new challenges or uplevel your skills? Express gratitude for the ways they invest in your continued growth. For example:

• “Thank you for supporting my enrollment in that PM certification course. It’s helped me gain confidence.”
• “I appreciate you trusting me to take the lead on the Adams project. It was a stretch, but an important learning experience.”

Validation builds your boss’ awareness of areas where their support makes an impact.

3. Recognize Their Leadership Style

Do they lead with empathy and compassion? Or are they great at giving direct reports autonomy?

Call out the aspects of their leadership style that resonate most. For example:

• “Your empathetic leadership style makes me feel comfortable bringing my whole self to work.”
• “I appreciate you empowering us with flexibility in how we approach our projects.”

This feedback enables them to play to their natural strengths.

4. Praise Their Commitment to Team Success

Does your boss jump in to lend a hand when things get busy? Or work to build trust and psychological safety among the team?

Acknowledge their dedication to shared team success. For example:

• “Thank you for your willingness to roll up your sleeves and help us push through crunch times.”
• “Your efforts to build trust on our team have made collaboration really smooth.”

This shows you’re paying attention to those above-and-beyond efforts.

5. Thank Them for Fostering an Inclusive Environment

Do they encourage diverse perspectives? Or make it safe to have difficult conversations?

Note ways they cultivate inclusion and belonging. For example:

• “I appreciate you drawing insights from every team member in meetings. It makes me feel my voice matters.”
• “Thank you for facilitating open and honest dialogue. It has deepened my understanding of my colleagues.”

This positive feedback motivates inclusive behavior.

6. Recognize Their Mentorship

Have they provided guidance to help you meet important goals or milestones?

Mention the value of their mentorship. For example:

• “Your coaching on my presentation skills has boosted my confidence as a public speaker. Thank you.”
• “I appreciate you sharing your experience to advise me through that campaign launch. It was invaluable.”

This shows the impact of their willingness to share knowledge.

7. Thank Them for Being Approachable

Do they have an open-door policy? Make themselves available when you need guidance?

Spotlight how their accessibility makes you feel supported. For example:

• “Thank you for always having your door open. I never hesitate to come to you with questions.”
• “I appreciate how you make time for my concerns, even when you have a packed schedule.”

This positive feedback motivates continued approachability.

8. Recognize How They Engage Your Input

Do they consult your opinion when creating goals or making decisions?

Mention how you value voicing your perspective. For example:

• “I appreciate when you check in for my input on new initiatives. It makes me feel empowered.”
• “Thanks for including me when setting team goals. It helps ensure they resonate with everyone.”

This shows their receptiveness has an impact.

9. Thank Them for Their Clarity

Do they communicate expectations, plans, and priorities with great clarity?

Note how their clear direction helps your performance. For example:

• “Your clear communication around major changes has helped me stay focused and productive.”
• “I appreciate you setting clear objectives so I know how to prioritize my projects.”

This incentivizes clear communication from a management perspective.

10. Recognize How They Support Work-Life Balance

Do they advocate for taking time off? Refrain from off-hours Slack messages or emails?

Mention how you value their support of boundaries. For example:

• “Your openness to flex schedules has allowed me to meet my outside commitments.”
• “I appreciate your understanding when I need to disconnect outside work hours.”

This positive feedback will keep that support going.

11. Praise Their Commitment to Professional Development

Are they invested in leveling up your skills? Do they help secure learning resources?

Note how you value their dedication to your continuous learning. For example:

• “Thank you for connecting me with the mentorship program. It has expanded my professional network.”
• “I appreciate you advocating for me to participate in that training. My skills are sharper because of it.”

This motivates ongoing career development support.

12. Thank Them for Making Remote Work Positive

Have they worked to nurture connection during remote work? Helped preserve team spirit virtually?

Highlight how their efforts have made remote work more engaging. For example:

• “I’ve felt more connected working remotely thanks to the virtual socials you initiated.”
• “Your video call policy has allowed our relationships to stay strong despite physical distance.”

This positive feedback will keep their virtual community-building going.

13. Recognize How They Show Appreciation

Do they send thanks or praise to recognize achievements? Give public shoutouts for good work?

Mention how their appreciation makes you feel valued. For example:

• “Your thanks for a job well done motivates me to go the extra mile.”
• “I sincerely appreciate when you recognize my contributions publicly in team meetings.”

This positive feedback incentivizes ongoing recognition.

14. Thank Them for Being Transparent

Do they openly share business context and explain decisions?

Note how you value their commitment to transparency. For example:

• “Even when it’s bad news to share, I appreciate you communicating with honesty and candor.”
• “Your transparency helps me understand the reasoning behind major initiatives.”

This motivates ongoing openness and clarity from leadership.

15. Praise Their Teambuilding Efforts

Do they make time for team lunches or events to nurture relationships?

Mention the value of their teambuilding dedication. For example:

• “The monthly team events have allowed me to get to know colleagues on a more personal level.”
• “I look forward to the activities you plan that bring our team closer together.”

This shows their relationship-building has had an impact on you.

Put These Examples Into Practice

With these examples in mind, think back on moments when your boss’ actions had a positive influence on you or the team.

Then, choose 2-3 specific examples to mention in your review. Focus on the behaviors you hope to motivate so your boss knows what to keep doing in the future.

Giving thoughtful positive feedback strengthens your relationship with your manager. It also helps create a motivating, engaging work environment where people feel recognized for their contributions.

So don’t hold back from sharing positive feedback directly with your boss. Thoughtful comments help build mutual understanding while reinforcing their best qualities as a leader.