Generally speaking, I am a sucker for keeping meaningful connections. I think we should do everything in our power to stay in touch, remain in a network with everyone we have met before. In fact, I argue that every relationship has a future date value, and should be nurtured by all means. Today, however, I know better.

In literally every career path you may choose, you need people. Human relationships are sine qua non if you will make any progress in any aspect of life. As such, relationship management is considered top-shelf skill every day of the week. You need people to tell you about opportunities; you need them to recommend you for those opportunities; you need them to help you take up those opportunities. In all, you need people.

Now, back to the topic of the day; there are some good reasons to end some of those relationships. Yes.

If you are mindful of relationship management, like I am, you will feel hard-pressed to keep every relationship you have made. But fishermen know it too well; you don’t keep everything your net caught.

Friend, build valuable relationships. Nurture them. Guard them. Protect them. But any relationship that drains you, let it burn! If it leads you away from the path of peace, let it burn! If it pushes you to against your values, let-it-burn! You can’t keep it if it is going to kill you. You shouldn’t nurture it, if it only seeks to drain you. Let the Tony Awards performance of Joaquina Kalukango in 2022 inspire you… 😊

There are colleagues, bosses, acquaintances and all, who we are trying to remain in relationship with. As such, we are putting ourselves through deep hurt. I opine that it is a bad idea. And one last argument to support my opinion is this: people come into your life for a reason, a season or for a lifetime (this is an opening line of a poem by Brian A. “Drew” Chalker). If you keep the door open long enough, people who came for a reason, or for a season, will find their way out easily. Don’t force it.

You, my friend, are the master of your career. Create rich and healthy connections; build meaningful bridges, then burn some. You are better of with your best networks, and that requires continual assessment of all networks. I am always rooting for you. Cheers.