Your Career Time Capsule: Unlocking the Power of Dormant Ties
By: Tim Cynova // Published: March 28, 2025
Scrolling through LinkedIn the other day felt like flipping through a scrapbook of my career.
There were names from my early days in the dance sector, familiar faces from various conferences and speaking engagements, and clusters of colleagues tied to roles I’ve long since left. Some of these connections were once part of a tight-knit crew – people I collaborated with closely, sat just a few feet from for years, and brainstormed brilliant ideas (or, you know, at least assembled gala gift bags with) late into the night.
At the time, we were in each other’s daily orbit. And then, slowly and naturally, the overlap started to fade. Our once-shared world turned into a looser Venn diagram of experiences, networks, and perspectives.
New jobs. New coworkers. New sectors. New(er) versions of ourselves.
But here’s the thing: those relationships didn’t disappear. They just went quiet.
They became dormant ties.
The Quiet Power of Dormant Ties
Dormant ties – connections that once played a central role in our work or lives but have since gone silent – don’t vanish. They simply settle into the background.
Unlike cold outreach or awkward networking events, reconnecting with a dormant tie skips the small talk and slides right into familiarity. There’s context. Shared history. And often, a genuine curiosity about where life has taken you two.
What makes them especially valuable and interesting now is this: You’ve both changed. You’ve grown. Your paths have diverged and evolved. So when you reconnect, it’s not a rehash – it’s a remix.
The Pandemic Shift: A Natural Pause
It’s been five years since the pandemic arrived and upended how we live and work. In that time, we’ve seen:
Companies go virtual
People move cities (or continents)
Career pivots become the norm
Entire orbits of connection disappear overnight
The pandemic was a shared moment of rupture. For many, it marked a natural pause in relationships that were once part of our daily rhythm. That’s what makes now such a meaningful time to check back in. Everyone understands what it’s like to fall out of touch.
Why You Might Reconnect
You don’t really need a “reason” to reconnect, but if you’re looking for one, consider:
You’re changing careers and want to talk to someone who’s done the same
You’re hiring or building something new
You’re sourcing podcast guests or creative collaborators
You’re revisiting an old idea you’ve finally got time (or clarity) for
You’re seeking unfiltered feedback
You miss when work felt fun, energizing, and joyful
As more people navigate “what’s next” or “what’s new,” dormant ties are often overlooked sources of connection and possibility. These are people who knew you when, who witnessed your growth up close, and who’ve grown in their own direction too. Reconnecting now means you’re both showing up with fresh perspectives, sharpened skills, and stories to swap.
Lead With Curiosity, Not an Agenda
Dormant ties are best approached with curiosity, not a pitch. Even if you are job hunting or seeking something specific, start with a genuine check-in and let the conversation breathe before turning it toward an ask (if you even need to).
Consider a variation on this message:
“Hey [Name], I saw your name and instantly thought of [shared time/project]. Can’t believe how much time has passed – wowza! I’d love to catch up and hear how you’ve been faring with life’s curveballs.”
That’s it. No pressure. No expectation. Just a quick hello and a little curiosity.
Be Transparent, and Thoughtful
It’s okay to admit you’re reaching out with intention, as long as you acknowledge the relationship. And it’s also okay if not everyone responds.
Dormant ties are just that – dormant. Some may stay that way. Reaching out can still be meaningful if your goal is connection, not conversion. It can still spark an unexpected insight, or even the creative prompt of wondering, “What would Melissa have said if we were working on this project together?”
But before you send that message, pause and reflect:
Why this person?
What do I remember or appreciate about them?
Am I open to being of assistance to them if they ask in return?
Scroll Through Your Career Scrapbook
Take 10 minutes and scroll all the way back to your earliest LinkedIn connections. Who was there at the beginning (or at least the beginning of the app)? Who did you brainstorm with, travel with, share wins (or chaos) with? Who saw a version of you that helped shape who you are today?
Reach out. Ask how they’ve been. Share a memory that still makes you smile or think.
A Look Back Can Be the Most Powerful Move Forward
The magic of dormant ties isn’t just about professional opportunity – it’s about reconnecting as human beings. It’s a reminder that just because someone hasn’t been on your radar lately doesn’t mean they’re no longer part of your story.
Sometimes the most important step forward is a simple look back.
And maybe a message of gratitude for what that time meant.
In this “quick course” we explore a structured approach to:
Documenting and sketching roles effectively
Drafting job descriptions with ease
Navigating stressful leave planning periods
Handling employee departures and arrivals smoothly
Crafting and optimizing job roles and team dynamics, even in hybrid workplace environments
Tim Cynova is an HR and org design consultant, an educator, and podcaster dedicated to dusting off workplaces to (re)center values-based approaches where more people can thrive. He is a certified Senior Professional in HR (SPHR), trained mediator, principal at WSS HR LABS, on faculty at New York’s The New School, Minneapolis College of Art & Design, and Hollyhock Leadership Institute. He has held executive leadership roles in a variety of nonprofits for the better part of the last 20 years.
