What to say in a farewell video for a colleague

A farewell video message needs three things: one thing you remember, one thing you want to thank them for, and one thing you wish them next. Thirty seconds is enough for all three.

Most people freeze because they try to sum up the whole person. You only need one true detail. The rest of the video, with everyone else's messages, does the summing up.

The shape of a good message#

1. Say who you are and how you know them. They will know, but the other people watching might not. "It's Sam from the data team. We've shared a desk for three years."
2. Tell one specific memory. A project, a bad day they rescued, a habit everyone will notice is missing. Specific beats general every time: "the week you rebuilt the report from scratch" means more than "you always went the extra mile".
3. Thank them for one thing. Something they did for you, or for the team.
4. Wish them something for what comes next. The new job, retirement, the move, the rest.

Say their name at the start or the end. It makes the message sound like it was recorded for them, which it was.

Lines you can adapt#

Use these as a starting point. Change the details so they sound like you.

For someone you worked with closely#

[Name], it's [your name]. I keep thinking about [a specific moment: the launch, the late night, the client call]. I'd never have got through it without you. Thank you for [one thing]. [New company] has no idea how lucky they are. Keep in touch.

Hi [Name]. The office is going to be very quiet without [a habit: your running commentary on the coffee machine, your Friday playlist]. Thank you for three years of [one thing]. Good luck, and come back and visit.

For a manager or boss#

[Name], it's [your name]. When I joined, you [one thing they did: gave me the project nobody else wanted, told me it was fine to ask]. That made a real difference. Thank you for backing me. Your new team are in for a good time.

Hi [Name]. I've learnt more from watching how you handle [a situation] than from any course. Thank you. I hope the next chapter is a good one.

For someone who reported to you#

[Name], it's been a pleasure to manage you. I'll remember [a specific piece of work] for a long time. You've grown so much since [when they started]. Go and do great things, and let me know if I can ever help.

For someone you did not know well#

Hi [Name], it's [your name] from [team]. We didn't work together often, but whenever I needed [something], you were quick and kind about it. Thank you, and good luck with what's next.

For a retirement#

[Name], congratulations. After [number] years, you've earned every minute of this. I remember [a story from their time here]. Thank you for everything you taught the rest of us. Enjoy it.

For a long career, it is worth asking people from every part of it: former managers, colleagues who have moved on, and clients who became friends. They often have the stories the current team has never heard.

What to leave out#

• Why they are leaving. Let them tell that story.
• In-jokes that need explaining. One is fine. A whole message of them leaves everyone else watching out.
• Anything you would not say in front of their family. Farewell videos get shown to partners and parents.
• A speech. If you are over a minute, cut the middle.

Recording it#

• Hold your phone upright, at eye level, facing a window.
• Find a quiet corner. Background noise matters more than the picture.
• Read your notes once, then put them away and talk. A slightly imperfect message sounds more like you.
• If the first take goes wrong, record another. Nobody sees the ones you throw away.

If you are writing a leaving card instead#

The same three parts work on paper, cut down to two or three sentences.

[Name], thank you for [one specific thing]. I'll miss [a habit or a moment]. Wishing you every success at [new company].

It won't be the same without you, [Name]. Thank you for making [a project, the Monday meeting, my first year] so much better. Keep in touch.

Congratulations on your retirement, [Name]. Thank you for [number] years of [one thing]. Enjoy every minute.

Putting the video together#

If you are the one organising, the hard part is collecting the messages: chasing people, getting the files, putting them in order. People Stories does that part. You share one link, each colleague records up to a minute from their phone with no account, and the messages are put together into one farewell video that you can check before anyone sees it.