Welcome back to the Look and Sound of Leadership, an ongoing series of

executive coaching tips designed to help you be perceived in the workplace the way

you want to be perceived. I'm Tom Henschel, your executive coach, and today

we're talking about mentoring and mentors. Tracy was a captivating coaching client, blessed with a crackling intellect, she devoured

knowledge jumping into every topic with passion.

One day I mentioned mentoring. The instant she heard the word she

gave a little snort. Mentoring has never been my thing, she said, but I'm great at

networking. Hmm, what's the difference? has never been my thing she said but I'm great at networking

hmm what's the difference I asked she thought a second and then said for me

networking has two parts one is putting yourself out there, going to events, taking people to coffee, not letting your work get you stuck in your office.

Networking happens all the time everywhere. She went on.

The second part is maintaining your network,

like this group of colleagues I've stayed in touch with.

They're all over the globe now, but I bounce ideas off them all the time.

They're my brain trust, and I work hard to stay connected to them."

And then she gave a little sneer. But a mentor, a mentor is just someone who's going

to teach me something. I'm not saying I don't need teachers,

but when I want to learn something,

I know where to go.

I don't need a mentor for that.

I replied,

your definition of networking and mine are exactly the same, and networking is important.

...