A leaving speech for a colleague — warm, specific, and genuinely meant.
What to say when someone you work with moves on — done properly.
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Leaving speeches are small occasions with big emotional potential. Done well, they make the person leaving feel genuinely valued. Done poorly, they're the most forgettable part of an otherwise nice Friday afternoon.
What a Speech Smith speech looks like
A short sample — your speech will be personalised to your stories and people.
Three opening lines: 1. "Right. We're here because Jess is leaving us, which is — and I want to be honest — genuinely terrible news for this team." 2. "Good afternoon. I've been asked to say a few words about Tom before he starts his new chapter. I have quite a few words. I'll choose the ones that won't embarrass either of us." 3. "So. Sophie is leaving. I've been trying to think of something positive to say about that. I haven't managed it yet. I'll work with what I've got."
Sample only. Your speech is written from the specific details, stories, and names you provide.
How it works
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Names, your relationship, a few key memories, and the tone you want — honest details make the best speeches.
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What makes this speech work
Every detail you share becomes part of your speech. Here's what to think about.
Start by acknowledging the loss — not the opportunity
Most leaving speeches start with 'we're so excited for your new adventure.' Start instead with the honest acknowledgement of what the team is losing. That's more respectful and usually more moving.
Be specific about their contribution
Not 'you've been a great colleague' — the specific thing they did that made a real difference. The quality that made working alongside them genuinely better than it would otherwise have been.
One team memory or inside reference works well
A brief, warm reference to a shared office experience — something only this team would know — makes the speech feel specific and inclusive. Keep it short and broadly accessible.
Look forward warmly but briefly
Acknowledge what they're going towards — with genuine warmth — but keep it short. The speech should be about who they are, not about their next job.
End with a simple, direct send-off
One honest sentence about what you wish them. Then raise your glass or end clearly. Don't trail off.
Frequently asked questions
Two to three minutes is right for a typical leaving event. If it's a more formal occasion or a long-serving colleague, three to five minutes may be more appropriate.
Ask their closer colleagues for one good story and one specific observation. You don't need to have been close — you need to be able to say something real about them.
One or two warm, affectionate observations are completely appropriate. They show affection and make the occasion feel festive rather than solemn.
Briefly. One warm sentence about what they're moving towards is enough. The speech is about them and their contribution here — not about their next role.
Speech Smith is primarily designed for wedding speeches, but the generator can produce warm, structured speeches for other occasions when described clearly in the notes section.
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