In this week's episode of The Mentor & The Mentee Blueprint, Anthony E. Tuggle & Mohamed Bayo-Velasco and I tackle a topic that makes most professionals uncomfortable. Networking.But not the way you have been taught.Most people treat networking like a transaction. Collect business cards. Send connection requests. Ask for favors from people you barely know.That is not networking. That is collecting contacts you will never use.

Real networking is about building relationships before you need them. Here is what we break down in this episode:Why the best networkers never "network." They build genuine connections over time.

The difference between transactional and relational networking. One gets you a response. The other gets you opportunities you never saw coming.

How to add value first. Before you ask for anything, ask yourself what you can give.The 48-hour rule. What to do immediately after meeting someone that separates you from everyone else they met that day.Why your network is not about quantity. Ten meaningful relationships will outperform a thousand shallow connections every time.

Mohamed challenged Anthony on something important. His generation sees networking differently. They want authenticity, not performance. They want mentorship, not transactions.And honestly, they are right.The leaders who build the strongest networks are not the ones working the room. They are the ones who make everyone in the room feel seen.Your network is not your net worth. Your network is your safety net, your opportunity engine, and your mirror for growth.