In 1994, shortly after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's, former President Ronald Reagan wrote an open (i.e., not private) thank-you letter to the people of the United States of America. In it, he wrote about his diagnosis and decision to make it known publicly with the hopes of raising awareness. In perhaps one of the most humbling gestures by a US president, he closed the letter by thanking the American public for electing him president and allowing him the honor of serving as such. Despite the fact that he had been out of office for five years at the time of the letter, it will be forever remembered as a gracious way to close the Reagan presidency. Most presidents and public officials thank their constituents when getting elected, but few have ever penned an actual thank-you letter to the voters. This example perhaps best demonstrated the power and sentimentality that a handwritten thank-you carries.

 
 

1. Describe how the emotional response to a handwritten thank-you letter differs from the emotional response to one that is keyed via work-processing software, printed, and mailed.


2. In what ways did President Reagan's thank-you letter serve as a lesson on etiquette to the country?


3. Explain how this act of writing a thank-you note demonstrated humility on the part of the President.


4. How did President Reagan's thank-you letter influence US citizen's perception of his professional image?