Conversations Matter
We rely on others in our professional lives – for information that helps us meet goals, achieve results, solve problems, and learn and develop. Clients transitioning from all-encompassing careers have spent years building relationships with subject matter experts and peers across various industries and functional areas to excel in their roles and stay current in critical areas of expertise. They’ve invested in others, identifying talent and developing both individuals and teams. These highflyers have ongoing conversations – listening and sharing – in an exchange of information that is important to their collective successes as well as those around them.
In your career, life, and transition, you need other people.
No one goes it alone. As executives transition from their careers to robust portfolios of professional and personal engagements and activities, the most successful transitions include conversations with people they know – and with those whom they would like to know.
Networking at its best is initiating a series of conversations based on shared interests and respect. Here are five tips for those in transition to continue having ongoing and interesting conversations:
1. Finish well and let people know how to contact you following retirement – an email before you leave is a strong move
2. Brainstorm a list of people with whom you would like to have a conversation based on your interests – current and aspirational
3. Make a plan for reaching out to people and stick to it
4. Be flexible and listen well – you may discover something you had yet to think of
5. Keep track of your conversations so you know where you left off and where to begin again
Know that people will be delighted to hear from you and love to talk about what they are doing. You’ve developed relationships during your lifetime of living and working. Make a plan and take the time to connect with this unique group of people. You may renew relationships, make new friends, and discover opportunities both professional and personal. And you will have great conversations!
