What, When & Why to write a Recommendation Letter, Letter of Support or Testimonial
Have you ever written a letter of support for a colleague, neighborhood student, or someone you believed was a good person?
Have you ever been asked for a referral letter after a project is complete?
Did you feel uncomfortable?
You are not alone.
Some people have balked when I’ve asked for a recommendation letter with unsatisfying answers like, “I don’t do business that way.” Or, “What if you make a mistake, and I lose face?”
“Curse not the darkness, but light a candle, instead.”
—Eleanor Roosevelt
While those are valid concerns, may I suggest they reveal more about the person who refuses, than the requester. For example, the first concern seems to ignore that all business is referral business. And, the second seems to be based in a fear of losing face.
Choose people in your network with whom to share credibility.
Yet, isn’t it true that we vote for candidate politicians, with way less knowledge of the person, than of the people we are asked to recommend?
So, why are some peeps afraid?
As a mentor for young entrepreneurs, I’ve been asked many times to write letters of referral or commendation. It’s a satisfying exercise to lift up another person and in the process, feel better about yourself.
— Lifting others, lifts YOU —
When we support someone we show ourselves to be team players, radical collaborators with genuine insight into human nature and potential. And, a practice of being of service in this short life….
“To whom much is given, much more is expected.” – Anon
If you have not, or you don’t know the first thing about how to write a recommendation, read on. This post will show you how.
First, ask yourself a couple of questions:
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Why are you being asked to recommend?
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Who are you to this person? What is your relationship?
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Who is the person you are recommending?
Once you are clear about those answers, begin to write.
In any recommendation, it is both you and that of the person you are supporting who share credibility. By that I mean, the letter is as much about who you are, as who the person you are recommending. Literally, you are sharing your credibility with the person you are lifting up. The letter becomes a shared moment of collaborative credibility.
“We can lift ourselves and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude.” – Thomas S. Monson
All letters are more credible when your company’s letterhead or other affiliation header are used. Whenever possible, please do include your affiliation and letterhead. Bear in mind that you are speaking from this platform, so you letter of support should reflect the values and principles of your affiliation.
For more on the art of writing a recommendation letter, see part 2 of 2
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