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 networking. Years ago, when the economy was still expanding, I coached a woman named

Stephanie. She'd worked for the same company since graduating

college and by the time I met her she was in line to be promoted to a director.

She was concerned that having worked at only that one company she wasn't as worldly as her peers.

Feeling that her concern might have merit, I told her a rule of thumb that I have.

Here it is.

You should spend 5% of your work hours every month looking for your next job even if you never take another job.

Why? Because when you network skillfully, you broaden your professional horizons, you become able

to realistically assess the position you have, and you build networks that make you a more valuable

employee.

Just recently, I moderated a panel aimed at helping people survive the recession.

Any attendee who wanted to remain anonymous could write their questions on an index card.

One card read,

My boss is tyrannical.

I feel abused and I want to leave, but I know this isn't the right time to be job hunting.

Help. A friend and colleague Dr Bruce Heller, who is himself a gifted

coach, was one of the panelists, and here's what he said. Whether there's a recession or not,

you should always have an exit strategy.

Even if you love the job you have, you should have an exit strategy

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