By November, the year can start to feel like it’s closing in. Projects are moving, calendars are filling, and the people who make work better can slip to the bottom of the list until you need something from them.
A small relationship check-in now can make the next few months feel more human, and a lot less like a scramble.
Try a 15-minute connection check-in
You don’t need a new system, a color-coded spreadsheet, or a networking goal that makes you want to hide under your desk. Set aside 15 minutes and think about three kinds of connection.
1. Someone you’d like to keep close
Who have you enjoyed working with, learned from, or simply meant to stay in touch with? Send a short note that gives them a real reason for hearing from you.
“Your comment about making the handover easier stuck with me. How has that been going?” is warmer than “Just checking in” and more useful than a message that arrives only when you need a favor.
2. A conversation you left unfinished
Maybe you owe someone a reply, promised to share a resource, or had a conversation that ended just as it was getting interesting. Acknowledge the gap plainly and pick it back up.
You don’t need a dramatic apology. “I meant to come back to this, and the weeks got away from me. Are you still working on…?” will usually do.
3. Two people who might benefit from meeting
Is there a colleague, client, or professional contact who would genuinely value an introduction? Ask both people first. A thoughtful introduction respects their time and gives them enough context to decide whether they want to connect.
Make the next step small enough to happen
Choose one person from each list, or just start with the one that matters most. Send one note today. If a conversation needs more time, suggest a specific next step rather than leaving it at “we should catch up sometime.”
The point isn’t to collect contacts or manufacture a busy social calendar. It’s to make sure good relationships don’t have to wait for a crisis, a conference, or a favor before they get your attention.
A few thoughtful minutes in November can make the end of the year feel a little less transactional, for you and for the people around you.
If you’re looking for a practical way to bring more human connection into your organization, let’s talk.
If you would like to work with me, let’s talk! Book a call here.
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Diane Darling is an author, speaker, and entrepreneur. See Diane in action and learn more about her topics here. McGraw-Hill published her books, The Networking Survival Guide and Networking for Career Success, now in 9 languages. She published, "She Said It: A collection of quotes by remarkable women."
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