There are two sad truths most of us learn as children: 1) you can't like everyone and 2) not everyone is going to like you.

A cousin truth most of us learn as we grow up is this: not every friendship is forever. People change and grow in different directions. Who we are now is now who we were five years ago, nor who we will be in five years. As a result of all of this growth, it's only natural for people to grow and drift apart. This holds true with networking, too. Those we counted upon as professional contacts a decade ago may not be now.

Sometimes the bipartisan growth and drifting apart causes antimosity and ill will. Does this mean our former contacts are lost to us forever? Not necessarily. Here are a few ways to deal with soured contacts:

Reach out. If time and growth has created a rift between you and a contact, then you might want to speak with him/her. During your reconciliation chat, bring up some memories you share. Offer assistance on a project s/he is working on. Offer some information. It's a wonder what a little reaching out will do to clear out the baggage two soured contacts have.

Be re-introduced. If the direct approach is a little too, well, direct for you, then you may want to have someone you know in common introduce the two of you. Yes, you already know each other, but this re-introduction almost forces two soured contacts to speak with each other and play nice. Once two soured contacts begin speaking, reconciliation is possible.

Speak no ill. If reconciliation isn't in the cards (again, not everyone is going to like you), then remember the old saying: "if you can't say anything nice about someone, don't say anything at all." There's wisdom in these words. When you speak badly of someone, you're actually lowering your own stock with the person with whom you're speaking. Besides - people talk. Word will get back to your soured contact, which will only foster his/her ill will toward you. With soured contacts, take the high road.

IN THE CARAVAN: If your relationship with a contact has soured, reach out, ask a third party to re-acquaint you, and always take the high road. 

LATER TODAY: Grow Your Network From Zero (Podcast)

NEXT TUESDAY: Singing Praise for Others

Check out last Tuesday's posts:
NETWORKING: Facebook for Work vs. Play
NETWORKING: Facebook Hybrids (Supplemental)
NETWORKING PODCAST: How to Avoid Overusing Your Network