How One-Way "Pings" Deepen Relationships and Expand Your Network

When did you last send an email or check in with a contact on LinkedIn without expecting a reply? 

If you’re anything like me, it’s been a while.

That’s because unilateral communication doesn’t always come naturally to us. Even more so when you’re ambitious and always pushing ahead to that next rung up the career ladder. We’re told to ‘pick brains,’ ask for introductions, organize coffee dates and schedule speed meetings at conferences.

And don’t get me wrong. All of these activities can be great ways to unlock the value in our professional relationships and you should keep making time for them where you can.

But you’d be surprised at how helpful simply reaching out from time to time, without agenda or expectation, can also be when it comes to nurturing your network.

Michael Melcher, CEO at The Leadership Group, has dubbed this ‘the ping.’ 

Here’s how it works.

A ‘ping’ is a message that you send that does not require a response. It may simply indicate ‘I’m thinking of you.’ It may flag that you’re still around. It can remind someone that you value their relationship without taking up more than a few minutes of your time.

They work so well because…

• You can send 30 ‘pings’ in a couple of hours. That would be the time for a single coffee date. Even better, they only take a few seconds each which means you can send a ‘ping’ as you’re waiting for the kettle to boil or for the kids to head out the school gates.
• People love the fact that nothing is expected of them
• It sustains relationships when your capacity is under pressure
• It keeps you top of mind, without a hard sell

There are a couple of styles of ‘ping,’ depending on who you’re reaching out to.

For where you’re simply trying to build / sustain a relationship or connection, a simple ‘hi, thinking of you during this busy time of year’ can work really well. Perhaps even flag a shared memory or a photo of the two of you. Or, where the contact is a potential client, perhaps send over a relevant and timely resource, such as a news article or LinkedIn post, that can make their lives a little easier and (gently) remind them of your expertise.

However you phrase it, the key thing to remember is don’t expect a reply.

It might feel counterintuitive but trust me, prioritizing regular ‘pings’ could just be the gamechanger in your professional relationships you’ve been searching for.  

Shannon Houde is an ICF-certified coach with over 20 years as a recruiter and trusted advisor to evolving change leaders from Managers to CSOs. She has mentored and trained 1500 change leaders over 4000 hours in ESG and corporate sustainability and is the author of Good Work: How to Build a Career That Makes a Difference in the World. Apply for a trial coaching session here!