Maintaining professional relationships with former people managers can be beneficial for your career development, networking opportunities, and personal growth. However, it can also be challenging to keep in touch, avoid awkwardness, and respect boundaries. Here are some best practices to follow when you want to stay connected with your former bosses.
A simple way to show your appreciation and maintain a positive rapport with your former people managers is to thank them for their guidance, feedback, and support. You can do this by sending a heartfelt email, a handwritten note, or a thoughtful gift when you leave the company or change roles. You can also express your respect by acknowledging their achievements, congratulating them on their promotions, or endorsing their skills on LinkedIn.
Smart Ways to Staying Cool with Your Ex-Boss: 1. Gratitude Grenades: A HBR study found that 72% of employees feel more engaged when shown appreciation. Thank your ex-boss! For the guidance, the mentorship, the occasional constructive criticism. 2. Network Ninjas - Leverage the Alumni Force: 85% of jobs, per LinkedIn, are filled through personal connections. Tap into your ex-boss's network! Stay connected on LinkedIn, and subtly remind them you're a talented ninja lurking in their professional backyard. 3. Seek Advice: 53% of CEOs, according to Forbes, seek regular mentorship. Reach out for advice and insights on a specific challenge. Tip: Be genuine and avoid gossip like the plague. Remember, bridges built on sincerity last long!
Never burn the bridges. Always have the same level of mutual trust, warmth and professional courtesy. You may not want to be personally connected, but should always be connected professionally.
Expressing gratitude is a fundamental aspect of maintaining professional relationships with former people managers. A genuine thank-you note can leave a lasting positive impression and set the tone for a continued connection. It goes beyond a mere formality, offering a sincere acknowledgment of the impact their leadership had on your professional growth. Specificity is key; highlighting the skills, knowledge, or valuable lessons you gained under their guidance shows a depth of reflection and appreciation. By expressing gratitude in a thoughtful and personalized manner, you not only demonstrate your professionalism but also create a foundation for a relationship based on mutual respect and shared success.
Your former manager deserves your gratitude for the direction and assistance they provided you while you were working together. To set a positive tone, expressing thanks is essential.
Your former manager deserves your gratitude for the direction and assistance they provided you while you were working together. To set a positive tone, expressing thanks is essential.
Another important aspect of maintaining professional relationships with former people managers is to communicate with them regularly, but not too frequently. You can check in with them every few months, or on special occasions, such as birthdays, holidays, or anniversaries. You can use different channels, such as email, phone, social media, or video calls, depending on your preference and availability. The key is to be genuine, friendly, and interested in their updates, without being intrusive or demanding.
Ensure you do not invade their lives in the name of keeping in touch. It is necessary to keep in touch. But not too frequent to the point of becoming a pain. Also, it is necessary to start in small stages. This depends on how close you are to the person. It also depends on their preference. For a start, sending a short message is apt. Then as the relationship progresses, you can move to more personal communication channels like video calls.
The secret to keeping in touch regularly is by staying in touch. Exchange numbers, if your relationship is tight enough. If not, connect with the people manager on any of their social media channels. This way you can be easily be updated on what’s happening in their live and find conversation from it (without being so awkward).
It never hurts to keep in touch with former colleagues or managers, as you never know what opportunities may come up in the future or how you can add value to one another and of course, there may be avenues for other collaborative ventures.
Provide your contact (personal email and phone number) to those whom you want to stay in touch with. Encourage them to reach out whenever they need any assistance or collaboration. Following them on LinkedIn is also helpful. Monthly or quarterly, reflect on former colleagues whom you need to reach out to, then send an email or text.
One of the benefits of staying connected with your former people managers is that you can leverage their expertise, experience, and perspective to help you grow professionally. You can seek their advice and feedback on your career goals, challenges, or opportunities, and show your willingness to learn from them. However, you should also respect their time and availability, and avoid asking for favors or referrals that might put them in a difficult position.
Mentors are the reason why we grow professionally, always seek relevant advice from subject matter experts. Helps build lasting relationships.
Another underestimated benefit is they can help open some doors you may not have easily/ quickly opened yourself. They can refer you to other amazing opportunities, asides the support and advice they can render.
Another way to maintain professional relationships with former people managers is to share your own achievements and challenges with them. This can help you showcase your skills, progress, and potential, as well as demonstrate your trust and openness. You can also ask for their opinions, suggestions, or insights on how to overcome obstacles, improve your performance, or pursue new opportunities. However, you should also be mindful of not bragging, complaining, or disclosing confidential information.
Keep in touch but don’t come off as a stalker ?? Make sure you share a little about your and how much you have grown/ your achievements. And if you’ve struggled since your last interaction with them, don’t be embarrassed to let them know. They may be able to support you more than you thought possible. The aim is not to run to them for help but to keep in touch by sharing your own experiences - and not making it seem like a one-sided conversation.
A reciprocal and mutually beneficial way to maintain professional relationships with former people managers is to support their goals and initiatives. You can do this by following their projects, liking their posts, commenting on their articles, or joining their webinars. You can also offer your help, collaboration, or referrals, if appropriate and relevant. However, you should also be careful of not being too pushy, intrusive, or opportunistic.
A final and crucial way to maintain professional relationships with former people managers is to set boundaries and expectations. You should respect their current role, company, and team, and avoid discussing sensitive or controversial topics, such as gossip, politics, or conflicts. You should also clarify your intentions and goals, and avoid making assumptions or demands. Moreover, you should be flexible and understanding if they are busy, unavailable, or unresponsive.
Whether you're an employer or an employee, it's crucial to leave on a good note. It's important to maintain professional connections, even if you don't want to be personally connected. There must be an element of mutual respect.
Here’s what else to consider when maintaining professional relationships with former people managers: The Power of a Simple 'How Are You?': Sometimes, a simple message asking how they are can reignite a conversation and show that you care about them beyond just professional interests. Personal Growth Stories: Share stories of your personal growth that resulted from their mentorship. It’s gratifying for a manager to see the long-term impact they've had on their team members. It also reinforces the value of your professional relationship. Mutual Industry Changes: Discuss changes and trends in your mutual industry. This not only keeps the conversation relevant but also helps both of you stay informed and connected to the industry.
Just keep in touch periodically, express gratitude for their guidance, share updates with them on your career progress, and offer assistance if needed. Occasional coffee meetings either in-person or virtual can also help foster lasting connections.