Welcome to this week's episode of the Modern Mentor podcast. I'm your host, Rachel Cook. Today's

episode is all about how to get ahead at work by being a giver. And we're not talking gifts of money, but of yourself.

And there's research to back it, so stay tuned. With the approach of the American Thanksgiving

holiday, many of us are focused on being thankful right now. And being thankful is something we

should all do. Gratitude can give our minds and hearts a boost, especially when times are

tough. But Thanksgiving is a compound word that combines thanks, the gratitude I just mentioned,

and giving. So let's give giving some air time today. And I'm not talking about the giving that

involves financial donations to charitable causes,

although, of course, do that if you can. But the giving of yourself, your spirit, your time,

your wisdom, and your insight. Because as it turns out, being a giver at work is actually a competitive

advantage. Research shows givers are the real winners. Today we'll talk about

the why, what, and how of being a professional giver. We'll cover strategies you can put to work today,

or at least after the turkey is fully digested. Let's look at giving in action. Years ago, I started a new job.

On day one, I met a giver named Anne.

She took one look at my deer in the headlights expression and invited me to lunch.

She was generous and candid, sharing tips on how things really got done, offering to make introductions,

and advising which prepackaged items in the cafeteria were likely to induce salmonella. That lunch was the first of many.

Anne showed me the same generosity of spirit throughout my five years at that company,

and my time wouldn't have been the same without her. I've since left that job, but

Anne remains a dear friend. She still works there, and her career has skyrocketed. She's a senior,

highly respected executive who still gives her time generously. Now, she's also, of course,

excellent at what she does. Giving alone doesn't ensure success.

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