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Mastering the Art of Reconnection: Navigating Your Network's Value During Uncertnty
May 10, 2020
Leadership; ownership; choice; action; confidence; purpose; resilience; vision; awareness; network enhancement; goal-setting; courage; clarity
The seripity of life often manifests in the most unexpected ways. One such instance was when I received a heartfelt note from an old client last week, after years of silence between us.
Hello Margot, hope you're thriving amidst this challenging time. Thank you for reaching out to your network to check on everyone's welfare. I genuinely appreciate your well-being and am doing quite well myself, grateful for my role and industry stability. It's long overdue; let's catch up soon.
This simple missive reminded me of the ease with which we can reconnect with our professional networks - both old acquntances and former colleagues. The irony lies in how, during this unprecedented period of social distancing due to COVID-19, many find themselves actively seeking connections with fris, family, and peers while being hesitant about engaging with their past professional circles.
The reluctance often stems from concerns over appearing insincere or too proactive when not in dire need, fearing that past relationships might be perceived as shallow or exploitative. This fear is particularly prevalent during career transitions - an ironic situation given the inherent uncertnty they carry.
Adam Grant's insights on networking reveal that our success increasingly hinges on interpersonal connections rather than individual qualities like commitment and passion. He categorizes networks into three types: strong ties close relationships, weak ties casual acquntances, and dormant ties people you once knew but haven't kept in touch with. In his analysis, Grant posits that dormant ties - individuals from our past who have since grown apart due to time constrnts or life's many twists - are the most often overlooked yet potentially the most valuable.
In a recent Inc. article, he highlighted why dormant ties might prove more beneficial for networking than weak ones people you've met but don't know well or strong ties those in similar environments. While our strong ties share much of the same knowledge and perspectives due to their proximity within our current circles, dormant ties often connect us with diverse networks offering fresh insights and experiences. This diversity can open new opportunities we might not have been aware of.
So, how do we reconnect authentically and purposefully with those dormant connections? Here are seven strategies to consider:
Plan Your Reconnection: Clearly identify whom you wish to reconnect with and why. The initial contact will be smoother when you're clear about your intentions.
Choose the Right Medium: Determine the most appropriate means of contact phone call, eml, or social media platforms like LinkedIn.
Embrace Awkwardness: Prepare yourself for a momentary sense of discomfort; that authenticity is key. Preting to be overly frily can backfire and make you seem insincere.
Acknowledge the Gap: Acknowledge any significant time spent apart, including reasons like studies, international assignments, family commitments, or new roles.
Expln 'Why Now': Connect your outreach to relevant developments in their field or experiences they might have shared with you before, such as a past project's challenges they're now tackling.
Inquire About Their Journey: Show genuine interest in what they've been up to since you last spoke. This not only builds awareness about their growth but also opens the door for reciprocal sharing of knowledge and experiences.
Offer Reciprocity: Avoid making the conversation feel like one-sided asking or taking by suggesting how your expertise, skills, or insights could be beneficial in return.
Reaching out is often uncomfortable; it requires vulnerability and courage. But overcoming these initial jitters typically leads to rewarding exchanges that affirm the value of past relationships.
The question now is: When was the last time you reconnected with an old colleague or professional acquntance?
As always, I'd love to hear your stories about reconnecting in unexpected ways.
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