You’ve just left your job. How do you maintain a professional relationship with your former boss?

3 Be respectful and positive

When you communicate with your former boss, be respectful and positive. Don't badmouth your former company, colleagues, or clients, or compare them unfavorably to your current ones. Don't brag about your new job, salary, or perks, or imply that you are better off without them. Don't criticize their decisions, actions, or performance, or try to undermine their authority or credibility. Instead, focus on the positive aspects of your former and current roles, the lessons you learned, and the goals you achieved. Be supportive, encouraging, and constructive, and show that you respect their opinion and expertise.

4 Seek feedback and endorsement

One of the benefits of maintaining a professional relationship with your former boss is that you can seek their feedback and endorsement for your career development. You can ask them for a reference letter, a recommendation on LinkedIn, or a testimonial on your portfolio. You can also ask them for constructive criticism, tips, or suggestions on how to improve your skills, knowledge, or performance in IT operations management. However, don't be pushy, demanding, or entitled when you ask for these things. Be polite, humble, and appreciative, and explain why you value their input and how it can help you grow.

5 Offer help and value

Another way to maintain a professional relationship with your former boss is to offer help and value. You can share your insights, resources, contacts, or opportunities that might benefit them or their company. You can offer to collaborate, consult, or refer them to potential clients, partners, or employees. You can also invite them to join your network, attend your events, or access your content. However, don't be self-serving, spammy, or intrusive when you offer these things. Be genuine, generous, and respectful, and make sure you are not violating any confidentiality or non-compete agreements.

6 Be flexible and adaptable

Finally, be flexible and adaptable when you maintain a professional relationship with your former boss. Understand that their situation, priorities, and preferences might change over time, and that they might not always be available, responsive, or interested in your communication. Don't take it personally, or assume that they are ignoring, rejecting, or avoiding you. Respect their boundaries, time, and space, and adjust your frequency, tone, and content accordingly. Be open, honest, and friendly, and accept that the relationship might evolve or fade over time.