Are you using the summer months (here in the Northern Hemisphere) to reflect on your professional life and evaluate what changes you want to make following your break?
Today I want to share a networking tip that goes far beyond talking to someone. I want to invite you to connect and reconnect with those people who had a big impact on your life and career. They could be teachers, mentors, managers, coaches, former or current colleagues, etc.
Why? Because when someone helps another person they often only get to see the challenge, but not the success that came later on.
When you ask these people, though, they all LOVE hearing what someone did with their advice and what happened next.
Thank your doctor or nurse
Take medical professionals, for example. Several years ago I had an elbow operation that, while not overly complex, seemed to be an interesting challenge for the head of the surgery department, because he did it himself, assisted by his most senior surgeon.
A few months later, I went to drop off a thank you note and a box of chocolates because after years of pain and discomfort and with the prospect of permanent elbow stiffness (at a 30 degree angle), I was so grateful to have a fully functioning elbow joint again and a straight arm that I could extend properly.
If you’ve ever had medical problems that were resolved, why not send the medical staff a card or an email to let them know? They rarely hear about the successful result, because once you walk out that door, that’s typically it.
Thank your teachers
Is there a high school or university teacher who shaped your thinking, saw your potential and helped you get to where you are today? Tell them. Let them know about your path, your successes and even your challenges along the way.
Teachers never get enough credit for the incredible work they do and I am certain they will feel immense pride knowing they’ve been part of your journey.
My high school teacher for economics and law strongly influenced my interest in the world of business and consulting and guess where I ended up after university… in consulting at Deloitte.
We spend so much time in school over the years and our teachers have a big impact on what we learn and how we learn, as well as what we consider doing out there in ‘the real world’.
If a teacher had a big positive impact on your path, let them know. They’ll be grateful and it will probably encourage them to keep guiding students in those early decades of their lives.
Thank your managers and mentors
We also spend a lot of time at work, surrounded by colleagues and managers. I have been fortunate enough to work with great managers and leaders in each of my jobs and I learned a lot from them. I’ve made an effort to let each of them know what impact they had on my career and what I am grateful for.
How did you choose your current role, company or industry? Who are the people you enjoy working with and why? Who has helped you grow and who saw your potential when you had doubts? Who encouraged you to take a risk that paid off big time? Who believed in you when you didn’t?
It might feel a bit awkward at first, but I promise it is very worth doing.
In 2015 I went to New Zealand (I lived in Australia at the time) and had the chance to catch up with my manager and career mentor at Deloitte. I told him what a huge impact he had on my career and how many times I think of us working together when I find myself in meetings or other situations that remind me of his advice. While he hesitated to take the credit for this, I do know that he appreciated knowing and hearing how I’ve used his advice to shape my ongoing career path.
Send a message today
I’ve talked to people about this topic, people in senior positions, older people, my dad. They all agree that it’s great to see and hear how people have benefited from their help and what they made of it.
For my dad it was stories like the young man who was in an accident, lost a lot of blood and for whom my dad during surgery supplied more bags of blood transfusions than the surgeon told him to. The young man lived and walked out two weeks later.
For my former manager it was hearing how his lessons on stakeholder management have helped me build strong relationships with people across the business ecosystem and grow my network.
For me it was watching people grow their skills, build their data portfolios and land exciting jobs.
So go on, send a message to one of your teachers, managers or mentors and tell them what difference they’ve made for you. I am certain they’ll be grateful and it’s a great opportunity to revitalise a connection.
Have a great week!
Eva