President & CEO at Delane Consulting & Talent Management LLC Senior Advisor to Start-ups and Investors
Title: “Yikes — My Network is Aging Out! What Can I Do About It?” After more than 40 years in the workforce, I’ve come to truly appreciate the value of the decisions — and sacrifices — I made to build and sustain a healthy professional network. My network has been instrumental to my personal growth, development, and business success. I suspect many of you feel the same about yours. But as time passes, I’ve noticed something: Many of my trusted peers are retiring or stepping away from work. So what now? Here are four ways I’ve found to keep my network vibrant and growing, even as my original connections move into the next phase of life: Mentor younger professionals. 1. Block just 30 minutes a week to connect with early-career talent — not just the high performers, but those with potential who could benefit most from your experience. 2. Advise startups. Working with entrepreneurs keeps your thinking fresh and introduces you to a whole new network. You’ll be surprised by what you learn along the way. 3. Reach out regularly — even just to say hi. When someone comes to mind, shoot them a quick message. A simple "thinking of you” text goes a long way — even if you haven’t spoken in years. 4. Offer help freely. One of my favorite network members ends every call with: “Is there anything I can do for you?” I’ve adopted that mindset, and it’s made a big impact on the strength of my relationships. We may not be able to stop time, but we can keep our networks alive and thriving — while also celebrating those who are moving on to well-earned retirements.