W. P. Carey Alumni Share 3 Tips for Maintaining Professional Relationships

We asked W. P. Carey Alumni: What is your advice for maintaining professional relationships?

Here is what they shared:

  • Focus on the Other Person
  • Be a Fan, Ask for a Critic
  • Engage Regularly With Your LinkedIn Connections

Focus on the Other Person

Show that you’re interested in the other person instead of trying to make yourself sound interesting. Relationships are built by making deposits into the other person’s emotional bank account. If you genuinely listen to how they’re doing and ask how you can help them with their goals, you’ll naturally stand out in others’ minds.

I would also say keeping in regular communications with touch points is key—just a quick hello on a birthday or a congratulatory message when they have a success will keep the relationship fresh.

Michelle Tinsley, BS Finance & Supply Chain ‘99, COO & Co-Founder, YellowBird

Be a Fan, Ask for a Critic

When you offer genuine admiration for someone, that makes any relationship better. Care about their goals and their struggles. By asking about them, you’re letting the other person know you’re rooting for them—who wouldn’t appreciate that? 

When you flip it to ask them for feedback, how can you get better, what are your blindspots, etc., they’ll feel valued even more. Imagine the roles reversed and consider how you’d feel about a person who was your supportive fan, who then asked for your feedback and advice.

Juan Kingsbury, BS Global Business ‘04, Talent Strategist, Career Blindspot

Engage Regularly With Your LinkedIn Connections

My best tip for maintaining your professional relationships is to invite your professional contacts to connect with you on LinkedIn, and then make sure to engage with them on a routine basis. This means:

  1. Liking and commenting on their posts
  2. Wishing them a happy birthday when you receive those LinkedIn birthday notifications
  3. Congratulating them for their work anniversaries and new job announcements

You’d be surprised how many of these contacts turn into new business opportunities. So, keep up with your contacts and what’s new in their lives!

Marsh Sutherland, Business Process Engineering & Marketing ‘94, Senior Technical Recruiter, Ocient

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By W. P. Carey Career Services Center
W. P. Carey Career Services Center