Maintaining relationships with former colleagues can be beneficial for your career, personal growth, and well-being. However, it can also be challenging to keep in touch with people who are no longer in your daily work environment. In this article, you will learn some tips on how to stay connected, engaged, and supportive with your former co-workers.
Depending on the nature and frequency of your communication, you may want to use different channels to maintain relationships with former colleagues. For example, you can use email, phone calls, or video calls for more formal or in-depth conversations, such as giving feedback, asking for advice, or discussing opportunities. You can also use social media platforms, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter, for more casual or frequent interactions, such as sharing updates, liking posts, or commenting on content. Choose the channels that suit your preferences, goals, and availability, and respect the preferences of your former colleagues as well.
Your network is your net worth, therefore maintaining a good relationship with your former colleagues is highly recommended. By nurturing these relationships, you can cultivate a strong network of trusted allies who contribute to your ongoing success and well-being, both personally and professionally.
Regularly reach out to former colleagues via email, phone calls, or social media to check in, share updates, and stay connected. Even a simple message expressing interest in their well-being or congratulating them on their achievements can go a long way.
Maintaining relationships with former colleagues involves regular, meaningful interactions. Start by connecting on professional networks like LinkedIn. Sending occasional updates or articles relevant to their interests or fields can also be effective. Celebrate their professional milestones with congratulatory messages. Propose catch-up meetings or virtual coffees every few months to stay informed about each other's careers and share opportunities. If possible, always try to offer help or advice when they're facing challenges, particularly if they ask for your support. Remember, like in any relationship the key is to be genuine, and then to maintain a balance between professional and personal interest in their well-being.
I realized in reading this that I have dropped the ball on my former practice in this area. I used to work at a major multinational, and colleagues came and went frequently - it was part of the culture. I developed a technique which was simple: 30 minutes blocked weekly to reach out to a former colleague. In that Appointment: 1) maintained a list, which I updated as needed as people moved to new roles; 2) made a note in that Appointment with the last date I had reached the person; 3) how they prefer to be contacted (phone/email/IM/socials). Sometimes I also made a note of the topic (new baby/ remarried/ whatever) so I would be sure not to forget the big things. It was extremely effective - and it can be used by pretty much anyone.
Staying connected to former colleagues is a great way to help others and industries blossom. Discover what cross learning can be applied and then offer it. For example, I previously work in the veterinary industry, and moved to working in mental and behavioral health space. There’s much that is transferable. By staying connected and attending CE (in either industry!) or sharing a vendor contact, we’re all helping our professional organizations grow. The added bonus is the feel good to still be part of an industry that I support and have a passion for! Also, sending a handwritten note on your new letterhead or with your new business card! Good old snail mail leaves an impression and shows intention. It’s a different touch that lasts!
One of the challenges of maintaining relationships with former colleagues is finding the time and motivation to reach out. To overcome this, you can set a regular schedule for your communication, such as once a month, once a quarter, or once a year. This way, you can create a habit and expectation for yourself and your former colleagues, and avoid losing touch or missing important events. You can also use reminders, calendars, or apps to help you stick to your schedule and follow up on your conversations.
This is so critical. Think of your network like a bank. You have to put money in to be able to take it out. You cannot withdraw from a relationship that you have not invested in. Stay in touch. Like a garden, your network needs tending. You need to stay in touch, keep people updated, be available when needed and have genuine curiosity about how the other person is doing. Setting a schedule is key to not getting too busy with everyday life.
Keeping a strong relationship with former colleagues is like nurturing a helpful guide for your career journey. Stay connected with them, perhaps through LinkedIn or occasional messages. Celebrate their achievements, offering a genuine "congrats." Be ready to provide support when they need it, creating a reliable connection. Imagine you're considering a career change; your well-maintained relationship might lead to valuable advice and insights from their experiences. If they transitioned successfully, they could share tips and even introduce you to relevant contacts. Keeping a strong network means appreciating successes, offering a hand, and staying connected. It's like having a secret weapon to move forward in your career journey.
Keeping in touch with former colleagues requires as much energy and commitment as maintaining any business relationship after meeting someone new, e.g. in a networking event. Relationships go both ways so in order to keep in touch, your former colleagues should naturally want to remain in touch with you too. Some ways to make it work include: 1. Make intentional effort to stay in touch regularly, e.g. wishing them on their birthdays or special milestones in life and work. 2. Invite a group of former colleagues for an informal get-together. Everyone appreciates unwinding over a brunch or barbecue gathering and a great way to enjoy this could include inviting and catching up with former co-workers.
Setting a regular schedule for communication is indeed a great way to overcome the challenge of finding time and motivation to reach out to former colleagues. By establishing a routine, you can maintain consistency in your interactions and ensure that you stay connected over time. Using reminders and calendar tools can be especially helpful in keeping track of your schedule and following up on conversations effectively. This proactive approach can help you nurture your professional relationships and avoid losing touch with valuable connections.
My best success of keeping in contact with former colleagues is a regular monthly lunch. It keeps the connection strong on both a personal and professional level.
When you communicate with your former colleagues, you want to be genuine and respectful. This means that you should express your interest, appreciation, and support for their work and personal lives, and avoid being fake, rude, or intrusive. You should also respect their boundaries, privacy, and choices, and avoid asking for favors, gossiping, or criticizing. By being genuine and respectful, you can build trust and rapport with your former colleagues, and show that you value them as individuals and professionals.
It is a turn off when you are being approached to get something from you without getting anything in return. How would you feel when someone who did not keep in touch with you for a long time suddenly reaches out to you and asks you to help them just because you have something valuable? You would hate that! Therefore it is important to be respectful of others and their time. Building and retaining old relations is simply an art. You cannot get it one day and you cannot fake it. People are smart enough to understand that. So it is important to consider relations at face value and retain them. Sometimes meeting people should not be just KPI driven. You must simply meet them
Stay in touch so that doesn't feel like you are there to take some kind of advantage. Be vocal about what made you think of them and appreciate them for their good work. If some opportunity comes, forward it to them as well if it fits them. Talking daily doesn't mean you are genuine. Do your part of being truthful in the journey with people around you.
Executive Search, Talent Acquisition, Talent Assessment and Leadership Consulting
reality is that our relationships with each other will most likely last longer than the relationship with the company we work for. People remember how you were when in a position of strength.
Absolutely, being genuine and respectful in your communication with former colleagues is crucial for maintaining positive relationships. Expressing sincere interest, appreciation, and support demonstrates that you value them as individuals and professionals. It's also important to respect their boundaries, privacy, and choices, and to refrain from behaviors that could be perceived as fake, rude, or intrusive. By maintaining this authenticity and respect, you can build trust and rapport with your former colleagues, fostering a strong and mutually beneficial connection over time.
Building bridges, not burning them, is key with former colleagues. Genuine interactions fueled by interest, appreciation, and support foster trust and lasting connections. Remember, respect is paramount. Avoid intrusiveness, negativity, or overstepping boundaries. By being authentic and respectful, you show them they hold value as individuals and professionals, strengthening your professional network.
Another way to maintain relationships with former colleagues is to share relevant information with them. This can include industry news, trends, insights, resources, opportunities, or events that might interest them or help them in their careers. You can also share your own achievements, challenges, learnings, or goals, and ask for their feedback, advice, or support. By sharing relevant information, you can demonstrate your expertise, curiosity, and generosity, and create meaningful and engaging conversations with your former colleagues.
I find that point of connection with every person I know. Realize that you may make more of an effort to stay in touch. If they added to your life, keep them close. There's no downside.
My former colleagues are now my friends and trusted advisors - stay in touch - share stories and continually be supportive. If you see something a colleague will appreciate - reach out and share it. The world is very small and the people in it are invaluable and are a treasure.
Maintaining relationships with former coworkers can be valuable for professional networking and personal well-being. Here are some tips for keeping in touch: 1. Stay Connected: Exchange contact information before parting ways. 2. Schedule Meetups: Plan occasional meetups for coffee, lunch, or after-work drinks to catch up and stay in touch. 3. Offer Help: Keep an eye out for ways to help them professionally. Share job opportunities, introduce them to relevant contacts, or provide advice when needed. 4. Remember Special Occasions: Sending a quick message on birthdays or work anniversaries can go a long way in maintaining a positive connection. 5. Attend Professional Events Together
Sharing relevant information with former colleagues is indeed a valuable way to maintain and strengthen relationships. By keeping them informed about industry news, trends, and opportunities, you demonstrate your expertise and commitment to their professional growth. Additionally, sharing your own achievements, challenges, and goals invites them to engage in meaningful conversations and offer support or advice when needed. This exchange of information fosters a sense of camaraderie and mutual benefit, enriching your professional relationships and creating opportunities for collaboration and learning.
People often keep relevant information to themselves fearing competition. This is, however, not the right approach. Sharing ideas and information help both the parties updated with how their industry works and can help both of them in the long run. Many good business relations have been diminished because of this wrong approach
Maintaining relationships with former colleagues can also open up new opportunities for you and them. You can seek and offer opportunities such as referrals, recommendations, introductions, collaborations, or mentorships. For example, you can ask your former colleagues if they know anyone who is hiring, looking for a service, or working on a project that matches your skills and interests. You can also offer your former colleagues your help, network, or resources if they are looking for a new job, a new client, or a new partner. By seeking and offering opportunities, you can create value and mutual benefit for yourself and your former colleagues.
Executive Search, Talent Acquisition, Talent Assessment and Leadership Consulting
The great philosopher Arnold Schwarzenegger said 'never call me a self-made man'. He said there is no such thing. We always need support from others. We should offer help and not be afraid to ask for it
Did you enjoy working with someone at a former company? Would you like to work with them again? Fantastic! Keep an eye on your job boards, and reach out when you see a good fit! I love trying to recruit former colleague, and more than a few have wound up at multiple companies with me! We spend so much time at work, why not spend it with people you enjoy?
Throughout my years of experience, I have learnt one thing - the art of helping people out. If you extend your hand in helping your former colleagues or anyone for that matter - it comes back at you somehow. So help people without keeping any expectations in return. I have been very fortunate to have my colleagues, former ones and friends that took their time to extend their helping hand to me. So be genuine and not fake. Always be selfless when it comes to helping out people
By staying connected, you can seek and offer referrals, recommendations, introductions, collaborations, or mentorships. For instance, you can tap into your former colleagues' networks to discover job opportunities or projects aligned with your skills and interests. Similarly, offering your assistance, network, or resources can be invaluable to former colleagues seeking employment, clients, or partnerships. By actively seeking and offering opportunities, you not only create value for yourself but also foster a culture of mutual support and collaboration, enhancing the strength and longevity of your professional relationships.
Maintaining relationships with former coworkers can be valuable for professional networking and personal well-being. Here are some tips for keeping in touch: 1. Stay Connected: Exchange contact information before parting ways. 2. Schedule Meetups: Plan occasional meetups for coffee, lunch, or after-work drinks to catch up and stay in touch. 3. Offer Help: Keep an eye out for ways to help them professionally. Share job opportunities, introduce them to relevant contacts, or provide advice when needed. 4. Remember Special Occasions: Sending a quick message on birthdays or work anniversaries can go a long way in maintaining a positive connection. 5. Attend Professional Events Together: Look for industry meetups.
Finally, you can maintain relationships with former colleagues by celebrating and appreciating them. You can congratulate them on their successes, milestones, or achievements, such as getting a promotion, completing a project, or winning an award. You can also thank them for their contributions, support, or guidance, and acknowledge their skills, strengths, or qualities. By celebrating and appreciating them, you can show your happiness, gratitude, and admiration for your former colleagues, and strengthen your emotional connection and friendship with them.
In my view the most important step is to keep the connection constant, say hi, how are you? once in a while, wish them happy holiday, happy birthday, or even just call or write to say you are just checking how they are doing. Even if you are keeping the connection for professional reasons, being friendly and respectful is the key and the right way to behave. Remember that you might have your interest in keeping the connection but so can they or other people and just as you want to be respected and not used, other people deserves the same
Sharing the impact they had is powerful- take the time when you are reminded of them to let them know. It can be as simple as a note saying you are grateful.
Keep up with your former colleagues on social media, or in real life If you can. Celebrate their achievements and acknowledge where they are in life - It’s okay if you grow in different directions, you can still share the journey with each other.
Executive Search, Talent Acquisition, Talent Assessment and Leadership Consulting
it is always good to be their cheerleader when they celebrate and their support system when they need help. During the course of our long working lives people have their ups and downs. genuine presence for both is important
It’s all about the attitude of gratitude, if you want the relationship, let that person know how much they have personally made your life better! Give accolades when due, elevate and admire those around you. Send them a joke, or tell them when you’re reminded of them when it appears in the everyday moments of life.
Maintaining the relationships with the people you have a genuine connection with and just letting others go is the approach. It is impossible to maintain the level of relationship with everyone so really focusing on quality over quantity. I am not saying completely ignore everyone else but think about what you and they are getting out of it.
LinkedIn can be handy to track former colleagues. You can advertise them your products and services each time they change employer.
Managing Partner, Head of Global Life Sciences and President Europe at ZRG Partners, LLC
Maintaining relationships is crucial for creating long-lasting and fulfilling connections with others. While each relationship is unique, there are certain general principles and strategies that can help you maintain healthy and positive relationships. Here are some tips: 1. Communication: Open and honest 2. Trust: Building and maintaining trust is vital. 3. Empathy and Understanding 4. Quality Time: Dedicate quality time to spend with each other. 5. Respect and Acceptance 6. Resolve Conflicts Constructively 7. Flexibility and Adaptability 8. Appreciation and Gratitude. communication, trust, respect, and empathy, you can cultivate strong and meaningful connections.
It’s important to be candid in the nature of the engagement when reaching out to a past colleague. Some former colleagues are genuinely people you want to make lifelong friends. And, some, are people who are just good people to have in your network. When a former colleague reaches out to me, I prefer they are clear in the ask (just to hang out or is there a specific ask), so I can make an informed decision about when, where and how best to engage to be respectful of both of our time.
How about sending handwritten letters or personalized postcards unexpectedly! This adds a touch of nostalgia and surprises former colleagues with a thoughtful and unconventional connection. Also, choosing a subject of mutual interest and embarking on a collaborative learning journey together can ensure the relationship remains vibrant, engaging, and uniquely memorable.