How can you stay connected to former colleagues?

Plug their info into a CRM or set up reminders to send a quick email.... While keeping your own contact info current, I've found the best way to keep up with others, is literally to schedule it in.

One of the simplest ways to network with former colleagues is to keep in touch with them regularly. You can send them a friendly email, a LinkedIn message, or a phone call to catch up on their work and personal life

It is essential to update your contact list and not rely on systems for crucial relationships. A useful tool is create a network map of essential contacts. I like to use Developmental Network Theory, Social Network Theory, and Dunbar's number to think through a network map. Then you can update these targeted folks with your information and ask for an update on their contact information. It is best to review this map once a year.

Considering how busy we can get, it's super easy to lose contact with others, especially colleagues. One technique I have found that works wonders is to start each planning year with a simple scheduling technique I call 'peppering your calendar'. I use this to randomly schedule 2-3 touch points in my calendar per person I wish to maintain contact with (client, former client, x-functional colleague, decision maker, etc). I write 'say hi to ___' and the purpose of that 'reminder' is for me to reach out and OFFER something--info, an event, check in, etc--and that's it. We usually connect with someone when we 'want something' (predictably). Offering something instead builds a connection. It's also an easy way to maintain contact over time.

To maintain connections with former colleagues, ensure they have your updated contact information, such as email, phone number, and social media profiles. Please notify them via a farewell message or when you change roles or companies, showing interest in keeping in touch.

Again, it is best to think about a strategy for reaching out. I hate the advice of regularly but not too much - what does that even mean? Break it out into three categories of reasons to contact them. 1. Building a personal relationship - determine what is a priority for them. Birthdays and holidays fall under this category. Take the time to learn about them to determine the best times to reach out. 2. Working smarter is second. Asking for expertise and comparing strategies allows you to learn and develop a relationship. 3. Moving up or transitioning your career is the third area. These types of meetings or requests focus forward and how you can grow as a professional.

Stay connected with ex-colleagues by reaching out regularly. Interact with their social media posts, sharing relevant content and maintaining an ongoing dialogue.

India is the birthplace of four major religions and has multiple religious holidays. I make it a point to connect/wish on a personal front during these festivals. Even if I am not consistent with these, I try to send a 1:1 personal message for year-end greetings with everyone in my network. Since I am connected with my friends on LinkedIn or Facebook, I try to send a personal message or call during their birthday. The key point here is a genuine personal connection, even if it is brief.

This is so important. We all hate people who call us only when they need us or want to sell something to us. Staying in touch is key, and it could be a new years greeting, or meeting up for coffee. Of course you can't do that with everyone so it's important to prioritise.

To maintain connections with former colleagues, regular but not excessive outreach is crucial. This collaborative approach sustains relationships, fosters professional growth, and provides reciprocal support. Strategies include timely and varied communication, adding value to interactions, and engaging in two-way conversations. Collaborative outreach strengthens connections, expands networks, and facilitates knowledge sharing, enhancing career opportunities.

Since I am connected with most on FB, LinkedIn, or WhatsApp, I do know what is happening in their lives, at least from the outside. When I see any feed or comment, I engage to add value to the conversation and support, encourage, affirm, and appreciate them. In fact, my recent 'LinkedIn Social Selling Index' is 25/25 for Building relationships.

Evite contatar ex-colegas apenas quando você precisar de algo específico, como uma referência ou um favor profissional. Relações autênticas devem ser construídas com base em uma troca constante e genuína. Esteja proativo em oferecer sua ajuda e apoio. Se identificar oportunidades que possam beneficiar seus ex-colegas, compartilhe-as sem esperar algo em troca. Isso demonstra uma abordagem de reciprocidade e interesse genuíno em vê-los prosperar.

I often think, how can i add value to this person instead of what can i take from them. This increases trust in the relationship. If someone is genuine and sincere, people can tell immediately.

You have to be careful of different platforms and the use someone might have. Facebook is a minefield when it comes to professional relationships if you are using it socially, as well. I suggest keeping it to LinkedIn and professional association groups. If you are friends outside of work settings, go ahead on connect on other platforms.

Conectar-se com ex-colegas no LinkedIn é uma prática essencial. Esta plataforma profissional permite que você mantenha um registro atualizado de suas atividades profissionais, conquistas e experiências. Além disso, fornece uma maneira eficiente de manter contato profissional. Além do LinkedIn, considere a interação em outras redes sociais, como Facebook, Twitter ou Instagram, dependendo da natureza da relação. Essas plataformas podem proporcionar uma visão mais pessoal e descontraída, permitindo uma conexão mais holística.

At least in relationship-based collectivist cultures like India, face-to-face meetings are critical, but due to COVID-19, I moved to online meetings instead. Online and Face-to-face meetings are essential to building trust. Preferably, an F2F meeting following my ongoing online meeting would work. Professional and social meetings are ideal to meet a large number of people in a short time.

Just sharing honestly that we've not connected in a while but would love to catch up. I think often honesty is indeed the best policy. People's guards are lowered.

Be genuine and provide value—it's important that this goes both ways. It can feel disappointing when, for example, you change your field or take a big career leap, and suddenly others are only interested because they need something. Stick to connections with shared values and work ethics. Keep it mutual—adding value and support from both sides.

By strategically choosing quality over quantity, focus on maintaining meaningful connections with former colleagues through periodic, personalized interactions, such as targeted emails or occasional coffee meetings. Avoid the trap of superficial networking and instead invest time in fostering genuine relationships that add value to both parties.

Send them funny memes. Share the same topics. Try to differentiate between title and person. The community manager has gone from my agency, I wrote to her: "So, want some champagne?" She:" Sure" We had a beautiful dinner where we talked about plans, and she reflected on her job and life. From time to time we speak. I wrote her today about stoicism, and she said she wanted to learn about it more, I sent her memes about stoicism.

For me, one of the best (unforeseen) ways of staying connected with former colleagues has been starting a weekly newsletter. Every Wednesday, I publish a post on Substack (that also gets emailed to subscribers) in which I share what I’m learning. In addition to providing value, it’s helped me nurture professional relationships that otherwise might’ve fallen away given how difficult it is to stay in touch with people you don’t see anymore.