TL;DR — A farewell video for a manager sits a notch more formal than one for a peer, but doesn't need to be stiff. Match the tone to how the team actually related to them, and let one or two people go warmer or funnier rather than flattening everyone to the same register.
- Default to slightly more formal than a peer-to-peer farewell, not maximally formal.
- Let tone vary between contributors rather than briefing everyone to sound the same.
- Seniority doesn't mean impersonal — specific still beats generic.
On this page
Reading the room: how formal should this be?
The right tone depends less on title and more on how the team actually worked with them. A manager who ran a relaxed, close-knit team can take a warmer, funnier send-off than one who kept things more formal day to day. When in doubt, aim for warm-professional rather than either extreme.
| Tone | Works best when |
|---|---|
| Formal | Large team, less day-to-day contact, more senior leader |
| Warm | Close team, regular one-to-ones, approachable manager |
| Humorous | Small team with inside jokes the manager was part of |
What to actually say to a departing manager
The strongest messages to a manager usually name a specific decision or piece of advice, not a general "great leader" compliment — see What to Say in a Farewell Video for prompts that work just as well pointed upward as sideways.
Who should go first and last
Open with someone who reported to them directly and worked closely with them day to day — it sets an authentic tone before anything more formal. Close with the most senior contributor in the group, since a closing message from a peer or their own manager tends to land as the natural final word.
Frequently asked questions
Is it appropriate to include humour for a departing manager?
Yes, if it reflects how the team actually related to them — a joke that would have made sense in the office is fine on video too.
Should the whole team use the same tone?
No, variety reads as genuine; a dozen identically formal messages in a row feels scripted.
What if the manager wasn't universally popular?
Keep it brief and professional rather than forced — not every departure needs an elaborate send-off, and a short, sincere reel is better than one padded with insincerity.