The best moment to ask for a letter of recommendation or supportive email from a leader or perhaps a shining telephone call about your service from a vendor to your director is right at the “thank you moment.”

You did such a great job as a preceptor. Thank you so much for giving me so much attention. I learned a ton from you. 

I am thrilled to hear that. I really enjoyed precepting you, as well. I’d love to share your feedback with my manager. Is there any way you could send that in an email to her?

You bet. 

It’s surprising how most of the conversations go this way, and the reward and thanks gets multiplied and viewed by others. It’s an easy tactic once you get the hang of it. Give it a try. Share the great news with everyone, and it becomes a win-win-win.

Seize that “thank you moment.”