How to Disconnect From Someone on LinkedIn in 4 Easy Steps Professional connections don't always pan out. Here's how to disassociate from unwanted ones with a few clicks.

By Kim Lachance Shandrow

entrepreneur daily

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

"A healthy professional life starts with healthy relationships," a prudent tagline on LinkedIn's Connections page reads. But what happens when professional relationships go sour, like when you fire a problem employee or you're no longer satisfied with a vendor's work, and you don't want to be associated with them on LinkedIn any more?

When a romantic relationship fall apart, it's time to break up. When a career connection tanks, it might be wise to disconnect from them on LinkedIn. Think of cutting ties with someone on the 400 million-member social network like the professional version of Facebook's "Unfriend" function.

Related: The Two Strategies for Networking on LinkedIn -- And Why They Matter

Here's how to remove a connection from LinkedIn's website on a laptop or desktop computer in a few quick clicks, should the need ever arise:

1. Go to LinkedIn's home page.
2. Enter the first and last name of the person you wish to disconnect from in the search box at the top of the page. The connection's profile will appear below the search box. Select the person's profile.
3. From the connection's profile page, scroll down to the blue rectangle icon that reads "Send a Message" and hover your cursor over the down arrow on the right side of it.
4. A drop down menu will appear. Scroll down and select "Remove connection" and you're done.

Related: 9 Networking Blunders That Undermine Your Reputation

To remove a connection from LinkedIn's Android app, iOS app or from your mobile browser:

1. Launch your LinkedIn app or go to www.linkedin.com from the Internet browser on your mobile device.
2. Navigate to the profile of the person you wish to remove as a connection.
3. Tap the Menu icon on the top right corner. (It looks like three white dots.)
4. From there, select "Remove Connection."

Related: 10 Questions to Ask When Creating Your LinkedIn Company Page

As with Facebook, when you remove a LinkedIn connection, the person won't be notified that you've disconnected from them. However, it's not hard to figure out, should they search their LinkedIn connections and see that you no longer appear on their list of connections.

It's also important to note that, once disconnected, any endorsements or recommendations that the individual made of you that appeared on your LinkedIn profile will disappear. And they won't reappear if you decide to reestablish your connection with the person at a later date.

Our best advice? Think long and hard before disconnecting from someone to avoid any potential awkwardness, especially if the they're connected with you elsewhere online or in person, or if they have you on speed dial.

Related: Breaking Up With a Client: What to Say

Kim Lachance Shandrow

Former West Coast Editor

Kim Lachance Shandrow is the former West Coast editor at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, she was a commerce columnist at Los Angeles CityBeat, a news producer at MSNBC and KNBC in Los Angeles and a frequent contributor to the Los Angeles Times. She has also written for Government Technology magazine, LA Yoga magazine, the Lowell Sun newspaper, HealthCentral.com, PsychCentral.com and the former U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. C. Everett Coop. Follow her on Twitter at @Lashandrow. You can also follow her on Facebook here

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business News

'You Just Saved a Life': Kind Stranger Brings Starbucks Barista to Tears in Life-Changing Interaction

One Starbucks barista was in for quite the surprise thanks to a kind customer who stepped up to help him.

Side Hustle

I Started a Semi-Passive Side Hustle That Earns $33,000 a Week on Amazon: 'Selling There Is a No-Brainer'

Dr. Jenny Woo wanted to create a product that would help people connect, and it turned out to be a lucrative one.

Business News

General Motors Hits the Brakes on Sharing Driving Data Amid Lawsuit

Some GM drivers didn't know their data was being shared — until their insurance rates went up.

Business News

Jerry Seinfeld Is Now Reportedly a Billionaire — Here's Where His Wealth Comes From

Seinfeld also boasts an impressive real estate portfolio.

Marketing

More Than a Trend — 5 Crucial Ways This Untapped Service is Changing Marketing

SaaS is not just about convenience; it's a smart move that helps businesses save on IT costs and focus more on their main operations instead of dealing with complex software issues.