Business success is often attributed to strategy, hard work, innovation and timing. While all of those things matter, there is another ingredient that is sometimes overlooked: relationships. Not just making connections, but maintaining them over time.
Throughout our lives, we meet people in all kinds of settings. We meet classmates in school, colleagues at work, fellow volunteers in community organizations, members of churches and civic groups, neighbors and people we connect with through hobbies and activities. We meet parents on the sidelines of youth sports games, dance recitals and school events. Every one of those connections has the potential to enrich our lives in ways we cannot predict.
The two of us have experienced this firsthand. We first met as students at Hebron Academy in the late 1970s. As often happens, life took us in different directions — Nancy stayed in Maine while Ann left. Years passed. Careers, families, responsibilities and geography have a way of filling the calendar and consuming attention.
Decades later, we unexpectedly ran into one another, almost literally, in the narrow aisles of Waldoboro’s Hannaford supermarket. This chance encounter quickly rekindled a friendship and reminded us of something important: the relationships we build throughout our lives remain valuable, even when years pass between conversations.
In business, we often hear about the importance of networking. But networking is not simply collecting business cards or adding connections on LinkedIn. The real value comes from nurturing relationships over time. People are more likely to do business with, recommend, hire, support or collaborate with individuals they know, like and trust.
Building trust
Trust is not built overnight. It develops through repeated interactions and genuine interest in other people.
Happily, staying in touch has never been easier. Technology gives us countless ways to maintain relationships that previous generations could only manage through letters and occasional phone calls.
Sending birthday cards is a fabulous way to connect but it does require knowing the date ahead of time. A simple handwritten “thinking of you” note arriving in someone’s mailbox can make a lasting impression. Holiday cards are another option. They provide an opportunity to share life’s updates and remind others that they remain important to us.
Class reunions and alumni events can also be surprisingly valuable. They offer opportunities to reconnect with people who shared our formative experiences. Often, those conversations reveal common interests, professional opportunities or latent friendships.
Social media can be useful when used thoughtfully. Facebook groups, LinkedIn, Instagram and other platforms allow us to celebrate milestones, congratulate achievements and stay informed about the people we care about. A quick comment, message or note of encouragement can strengthen a relationship more than many people realize. Ann stays in touch with former colleagues through the LinkedIn job anniversary function.
Be intentional
Staying connected requires intention. Many of us rarely reach out to our hundreds or even thousands of contacts. Being methodical can help. Some people maintain lists of people they want to contact regularly. Others schedule reminders to check in with former colleagues, clients, classmates or friends. Even a brief email, text or phone call can keep a relationship alive.
The benefits extend far beyond business. Staying connected enriches our personal lives, strengthens our communities and reminds us of the experiences and people who have shaped us. It can also create unexpected business benefits. A former classmate may become a client. A former colleague may recommend a job candidate. A casual acquaintance may introduce you to someone who changes the direction of your business or your life.
A worthwhile investment
Relationships are among the few investments that tend to appreciate over time. The more care and attention we give them, the more valuable they become.
Our reunion in a Waldoboro grocery store was a reminder that meaningful connections never truly disappear. Sometimes they simply wait for the right moment to reappear.
Whether through a card, a reunion, a social media message or an old-fashioned phone call, taking the time to stay in touch may be one of the most important things we can do, both professionally and personally.
