Reciprocity

Reciprocity is the mutual exchange of value in advisory relationships — gratitude, intros, feedback, visibility, and follow-through — so mentors don't feel like an extractive resource. It is the social glue that turns one-off favors into multi-year advocacy.

Reciprocity is not always symmetric in the moment. Early-career professionals may repay through excellent execution of advice, public thanks, research help, or candidate referrals later. Senior professionals repay peers with intros and honest counsel.

Imbalance signals: you only appear when job-hunting, you never close the loop, you ignore their suggestions. Repair with acknowledgment, not gifts alone. Sustainable boards budget reciprocity time quarterly — who do I owe a thank-you, intro, or update?