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How to nurture talent and maintain connections with your team members, even after you leave a company.

Julia, a Senior Creative Leader

Julia is a creative leader at a tech. company, where she oversees teams of teams. Her big-picture thinking, effortless influence, relationship-building prowess, and unwavering commitment to executing her vision make her a valued leader.

Like many creative leaders who began their careers as individual contributors, she has a knack for absorbing and analyzing information. She uses this to guide her teams toward better decision-making, think expansively about the future, and drive the execution of their vision.

Julia's ability to cultivate the potential in others and appreciate each person's unique qualities helps foster productive collaboration. She gets immense satisfaction in designing and leading creative teams.

Facing an Unforeseen Challenge

Julia's leadership journey took an unexpected turn in 2023 when she became one of the 70,000 individuals laid off from tech giants like Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta.

After surrendering her badge, Julia felt adrift. The dismantling of the teams she had meticulously built, never again experiencing close working relationships and witnessing those particular creative individuals flourish under her leadership, was particularly painful.

Taking Time to Heal and Rebuild

Julia allowed the grief and hurt of being laid off to surface. After six weeks of wallowing and taking a break to rest up, she began stabilizing her future.

Extraordinary leaders like Julia don't wait to lead a team to get back in the game of leading teams! They constantly nurture talented people, spot opportunities for them to do meaningful work, and maintain connections with other skilled professionals in their network. 

Maintaining Connections: A Leader's Responsibility

When you find yourself on the other side, without a role and a team or projects to lead, it's natural to focus solely on the future and disregard everything and everyone about your departure. Reflecting on those left behind can feel emotionally challenging.

Remember, you hired these talented, skilled professionals. You nourished and shaped their careers. Some of them care deeply about you, just as you care deeply for them.

When you leave a company, your team still perceives you as their leader until your replacement is hired. So, in the interim, help heal your wounds by cultivating new relationships with those who supported you in your last role.

🤑 How to Apply This

Some simple ways to maintain relationships with your old team members: 

Check-in on Them 

Let them know you're thinking of them and offer support. This simple gesture, reaching out "just because," can significantly strengthen a relationship.

For example, you could say, "Please know that I am here to support you in any way I can. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need someone to talk to. I’m happy to provide you with a reference or help you with your job search.”

Maintain Loose Ties 

Share an article or connect them with someone who would be a great contact. Your continued leadership and encouragement will be appreciated.

For example, you could say, "I thought you might be interested in reading this article, Recharging After A Layoff. It talks about the importance of taking care of yourself and finding ways to rest emotionally, physically, and spiritually before you move into rebuilding your career."

Express Your Gratitude

Share your appreciation; they will be flattered and intrigued to hear from you.

For example, you might say, "It's rare to find someone as creative and skilled at concepts and execution as you. Thank you for all your hard work." Or even, "Thank you for supporting me and the team, no matter what. I couldn't have asked for a better (job title) to support me/the team/the company."

💥 The Short Of It

Julia's story exemplifies how creative leaders don't wait to lead a team to return to the game. They recognize the value of nurturing talent and maintaining connections, even after a layoff.

By staying in touch, expressing gratitude, and sharing resources, Julia supported her former team, strengthened her network, and laid the groundwork for future success. 

Don’t be afraid to stay in touch with your old teams. It's not hard to do.  Your continued leadership and encouragement will be appreciated, and it works to your advantage when you need to find roles for great people at your next venture to invite trusted allies to join you.

That’s it for this week!

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With ❤️ from Sally

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