LEADERS CAN MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE EVEN AFTER TEAMMATES LEAVE
Tom Rath, a current consultant, author and presenter, once said “Life is not about you. It is about what you do for others.” And so it is with leadership. Part of the beauty of our leadership journeys is that we can continue to “do for others” even after they have stopped working with us.
I was reminded of this point this past Tuesday when I met for lunch with two wonderful people who I had the privilege and pleasure to lead and learn from during my years at Georgetown Law Center. They both continue to work for the university and help colleagues and direct reports grow and contribute.
As I traveled back to my home after this lunch, I reflected upon how many former mentees, colleagues, teammates and peers I have been able to stay in touch with, even though I retired from my job seven years ago. It takes intentionality and effort to remain connected to former teammates. When we do, however, it can be tremendously rewarding.
How can we help former teammates and colleagues after they and/or we have stopped working together at the same organization?
-We can make it a point to keep up with their contact information, even as they may change jobs multiple times
-We can check in on them periodically to see how they are faring
-We can offer to serve as a reference if they ever are seeking a new job
-We can offer to review their cover letters or cv when they are in job hunting mode
-We can help them prepare for a job interview with sample questions and answers
-We can help them assess the pro’s and con’s when they are deciding between or among possible job offers
-We can continue to play a mentor role as they pursue their individual leadership journeys
-We can be a no-judgment ear if they find themselves in a tough situation at work and need a good listener
-We can offer caring advice if they reach out to us with a problem or concern
-We can put them in touch with helping professionals we know – consultants, counselors, coaches or therapists
-We can recommend books or publications that address a particular situation they are encountering at work
-We can help others who mean a lot to them (This week, I learned that a former teammate’s husband helped a different former teammate’s son get a job at a firm where the husband used to work)
-We can volunteer to provide temporary informal coaching or consulting for a few months to help them get through a rough patch
-We can help them explore career options when they believe that they are at a professional crossroads
No matter where you are in your own leadership trajectory, please remember that your meaningful relationships with your work teammates need not end when they leave their positions to work elsewhere within your same organization or at a different organization. Nor must these relationships end when you shift to another organization or when you retire.
In this era of email, texting and social media, it is relatively easy to sustain friendships and caring relationships with former teammates, no matter where they live or work. It takes energy, effort and proactivity.
I guarantee you it is worth that effort!!!
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If you believe this content would resonate with a friend or colleague, please feel free to forward it along!
-Larry