[Que enspastic]

I took the initiative to arrange a lunchtime meetup with a top dog at my workplace who looks out for me and offers me advice on how to get ahead. He is fairly senior for his age (late 30s) and expected to continue his rise up the ranks.

I handed over a v decent bottle of Chilean Cab Sauv and told him 'Merry Xmas'. He told me I didn't have to get him anything and I said 'I know but I value your advice'. I left it at that and moved to chat about other things.

Roost V Forum has taught me that if you want to forge a good relationship with someone that can help you you want to make sure that they know you appreciate their time (which is more valuable than yours) and you are willing to listen carefully to any advice they might offer. Make it worth that person's while.

I know that when he is enjoying that drop of wine he will be grateful he took half an hour of his day to have lunch with me.

This is how it should be.

Don't forget the kind of people who you would wish to remember you when it comes to promoting 'the right man for the job' or anything else that brings value to your own life in the short, medium or long term future.

[soup]

Most mentors/gurus/etc. are already benefitting from their relationship with you, either directly or indirectly financially, politically, spiritually or some other way.

Trying to thank them is nice, but really doesn't mean anything. If anything it's a way of trying to court favor with them, but they don't really care.

Do you think Mr. Myaogi would really have cared if Daniel-son thanked him? He's probably give an obligatory smile and nod, but inside he doesn't care. Do you think Yoda would have been hurt if Luke Skywalker didn't thank him on whatever holiday they celebrate in Starwars?

[Blunt]

I don't think your anecdotes refute Que's point.

It is always good to show your mentors that you value their time by following up with them. Whether you simply tell them you benefitted from their advice or if you give them a gift, as they say, it is the thought that counts.