June arrives with a cocktail of out-of-office replies, summer travel plans, and an inbox that’s somehow just as chaotic, but less responsive. If anything, it’s even more jammed, with auto-responses piling up like carry-on luggage at an overbooked gate.
As someone who sends a monthly blog to over 10,000 professionals, I see my fair share of OOO replies. And let me tell you, some of them are anything but boring. These aren’t generic “I’ll be back soon” notes, they’re personality-packed gems I’ve actually received over the years. They made me smile. They made me remember the person behind the title. And they made me feel just a little more connected. Which, if you know me, is my absolute jam.
So this month, while many are logging off and heading out, let’s explore a few simple and delightful ways to stay connected with colleagues, clients, and friends. Even when you’re technically off the grid.
Your Auto-Reply With a Personality
The best OOO messages are part travel diary, part stand-up routine. They don’t just tell you when someone will return. They tell you who they are.
Here are just a few I’ve received:
Example 1
Glow worms, albatross, and sheep—oh my! Where oh where could I be? Its closest neighbor is AU and it has more species of native penguins than any other country. YASS, you got it—New Zealand! Probably the sheep gave it away though. I will not be looking at Teams and only randomly at Outlook. Annoying, I realize, but I got you covered. For assistance, please email the rock stars at [team email]. She went on to list 10 unusual facts about New Zealand.
Example 2
Hello and thanks for your email. In all honesty, I might never read it. I know—I shouldn’t say that. However, I am going to be offline from July 1st through July 18th and chances are I won’t ever scroll this far backwards in time. If you need to reach me, ping me again on July 19th with the subject line “BEST VACATION EVER.”
Example 3
If this is urgent, take a deep breath—because few things really are. I’m out, off the grid, and focusing on what truly matters.
From snack mix recipes to penguin facts, the messages I’ve received didn’t just inform. They engaged. They told a story. And they created connection, without requiring a reply.
Want a deeper dive into this trend? Here’s a WSJ article that had me nodding and highlighting: WSJ: Out-of-Office Messages Say It All
Bond Before Business
For leaders and teams looking to deepen camaraderie, I encourage a small but powerful ritual before meetings: a rotating question. Sent out with the agenda and answered in a quick round-robin format.
- What’s your favorite smell or scent?
- If you were ordering pizza by yourself, what toppings would you choose?
- What’s a movie you’ve seen more than five times—and still love?
These may sound silly, but they unlock insight. Years ago, during this exercise, I learned that someone on my team loved the smell of rain. Not just enjoyed it—craved it. And since we lived in dry, sunny San Diego, whenever a rare storm rolled in, I’d shoot a quick text: “Thinking of you. Hope you’re outside taking a whiff.”
We don’t even work together anymore. But I still text.
Mini Gestures, Major Impact
Connection doesn’t need a corporate budget. One friend, who would have stood by my side if I had a traditional wedding, knows I adore a certain artist. So when that artist’s song comes on the radio, he texts me the title. Sometimes a screenshot. Sometimes just the name. Every time? It lands. It’s that simple.
What’s your version of that? Is there a colleague who loves a certain sports team? A client who geeked out over a Broadway show? A team member who gets giddy over new apps? The next time something reminds you of them, say it. Send it. Share it.
No strings. Just sincerity.
Three Connection Takeaways for Summer
- Your auto-reply can be a small moment of connection. Make it human.
- Bond Before Business questions add color to meetings. Don’t underestimate them.
- The little text? The random memory ping? It matters. More than you know.
Whether you’re headed to Italy, writing your book on a beach, chasing toddlers, or simply savoring quiet time away from your inbox, connection doesn’t have to pause. It just needs a nudge.
So the next time you see a song title, smell a summer rain, or laugh at a penguin fact, take 10 seconds and reach out. And yes, Wi-Fi helps—but connection? That comes from the heart, not the hotspot.
