Long Distance Management

I just wrote a paper about long distance management and how important it is to make sure that everyone feels included and a working partner in a business relationship, and it really got me to thinking about my personal relationships and how they need just as much caring.

I have gotten to the point or feeling with most of my friendships (there are exceptions) that once I moved away I became non existent in everyones lives. Everyone seems to be moving on and I am missing out on it.

So this has got me thinking, is it possible to place the principles of business relationships onto friendships that I hold dear? I do the minor things as much as I think is OK, without being overly creepy on the 'I miss you' scale, I send emails with updates, and what I am dreaming of for the future but it is getting to be few and far between with the replies and 'I miss you too's'. I am not saying that I expect all of my friends to be crying that I am not there but I am starting to feel like Marty McFly in Back to the Future when he is standing there and his hand starts to disappear even after trying so hard to make everything the way it was.

I had such excellent friendships before I moved away, there was never a night that I felt out of touch or alone. I guess that is part of the moving away gig, you have to try harder and believe that those who loved you when you were there continue to do so when you are gone. Perhaps the Long Distance Management rules do apply, show respect, gratitude, and make sure that everyone feels connected to the cause or company, I think that I would be an excellent Long Distance Manager but maybe I am just not that great at being a Long Distance Friend.