5 Simple Ways To (Positively) Engage Your Network Post-Covid

Am I trying to look past the lockdown mentality of job search, career progression and the pandemic for my own clients, business, friends and colleagues? Yes! Call me naive but yes yes yes and I think it is time to provide some context about how you need to reengage your network after a setback, crisis or pullback - Covid inspired or not. A positively built network may last but it needs nurturing, care and consistency from you because it involves people. If you can and even if this is a tough time I challenge you.

I challenge you to be the positive, inspiring person despite personal or professional setbacks during a macro intrusion into our lives like Covid and during other, more micro events like a layoff, a personal career setback or a professional pain in your career journey. I also challenge you to not go negative, not show your anger about political, social, business or related events that can turn off your network to you or tarnish your brand. In some cases people are in a mode where they feel they need to "express themselves" and I would never ask someone to conceal what they feel they need to do as a citizen or a participant in this democracy. But what I have found out over the years is common kindness, a caring word and an embrace of your relationships often outweighs the more overt, aggressive expressions.

Here are 5 concepts that could help you not just reconnect but reignite your relationships with your most valuable resource - your network.

1. Message Your Closest Friends. It is a wonder how few people hear from people they care about during tough times. Email, call or text someone an uplifting message and simply ask - How are you doing? What can I do to help you through this crazy time? The family is doing well and I took some time to actually get away to visit extended family and it has been very interesting having our two home for two months from college.
2. Reach Out To Your New Network. If you have built a strong, new network of trusted connections and advisors don't ignore them. During a setback or problem find out how your lighter connections are doing. Try to send a message to each one of them that is a little more specific. I know we connected about a month ago on LinkedIn and briefly spoke about your company. How are you and your company weathering or looking forward to the last half of the year? Do you have time for a Zoom or quick call to catch up? Love to know how I can help you in any way during this time.
3. Write A Note and Send It Via Email Custom or Snail Mail. In the past three months some of our very kind corporate clients and friends have taken the time to write us a few notes. I personally feel my handwriting has suffered and don't write as many notes but I am a bit of a fanatic on email. One of my close knit Leadership Development and Talent Acquisition leaders sent this: Thank you for your support of my campaign for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. We raised $68,000! I am really grateful that during this time people like you have been so generous. Another read: I know this is a painful time for some of those you serve. Thankful you were with me during my tough times. Let me know what I can do for you, your clients (like me) and your family.
4. Do A Virtual Coffee. Even if you don't do coffee do a virtual coffee. Make it brief and have something inspirational or positive to share. You could also do what a former client and current HR executive did with us during the lockdown phase of Covid. This has been a difficult adjustment time in business for so many. I wonder if we need to get a 10 minute Go To or Zoom in the next two weeks to plan how we can better serve each other. I owe you a real, in person coffee but let's do a virtual coffee right now.
5. Look Forward Together. Instead of wallowing in whatever you are going through you need to be buoyed and if you can plan, as the previous comment in #4 implies, a path forward, a way to look at what good could happen it can create hope and inspiration for you and your network. Partner where you can with others who will encourage you and where you can encourage them to focus on a new business line, a new way to connect, a new job opening or business opportunity. Some of our clients are working on some beautiful things. For example, I just helped edit a client's article, focused on how to manage an encounter with the police. I just wrote a review for one of our longtime branding clients new book. I just participated in a leadership podcast. None of those things overtly, at this very moment, will change the future but each has the potential. Think potential.

In all your ways try to acknowledge and show thankfulness for what you have, what you can retain even during a setback. The most important piece to keep in mind? Do not wreck your current, delicate flower of a network with rancor, anger and negativity. Get some counseling or reach out for help if you cannot come out of a negative spiral. Even if you are in pain summon the courage to engage and at least figuratively reach out your hand and put your arms around your tribe. You don't know who needs it. Apart from that, if there was ever a time to find a book, an article, a positive person and invest in the power of positive network thinking it is right now, today, at this moment.