The Magic In Connecting Others

I'm not sure why the idea of alchemy (chemical magic) popped into my head as it relates to connecting others the other day, but it did. And since it did, I'm compelled to write about it.

So I did what most people might do when writing on a new topic: I researched the word.

According to our friends at Webster,

ALCHEMY IS DEFINED AS

a medieval chemical science and speculative philosophy aiming to achieve the transmutation of the base metals into gold, the discovery of a universal cure for disease, and the discovery of a means of indefinitely prolonging life.

There's a lot to breakdown here, specifically: science, philosophy, transmutation and gold.

The more I look at this, the more I feel like this is a worthy post. Oh, and our friends at WordPress analyzed the headline and scored the word "magic" 32 points higher than "alchemy". So whatever...the title says magic. It's still all about the Alchemy found in connecting ;-)

The Magic of connecting others

For years I've said: one of the most powerful things you can have happen is to have two people talking about you when you're no where to be found.

This almost always happens when you're the reason they're talking...ie you introduced them.

There's something absolutely magical that happens. Partly because when it is a good introduction they're both happy to meet AND happy you introduced them. It's also true that the laws of generosity and reciprocity kick in where both of the individuals AND the universe want to repay your kindness.

Good things happen when you make introductions. So make more of them!

The philosophy of connecting

The age old philosophy of Quantity Vs Quality is a very real thing. There are plenty of folks who live on the quantity side and believe that connecting with anyone for any reason could be a great start to magic happening. There are folks who will only connect with people they already know, like and trust. Both sides of this argument have merit and downsides. You want a deeper dive on this? My friend Frank Agin takes a literal page from my book and discusses this topic HERE.

How simple introductions transmute into lifelong connections

Ever meet a good friend of a good friend? It instantly feels like you've known that person most of your life. The same thing happens in business. When we get connected to people who are the right connections for us, the magic kicks into high gear.?

Especially when meeting strategic partners. These become the gifts that keep on giving. As a side note, if you are not asking your network for referral partners in addition to ideal clients, you are missing out.

Mining the gold in your network

I've written before about how companies "flush referral opportunities down the drain" by not reaching out to past and existing clients. The same is true when you don't stay top of mind with your network.

While posting on social media has become our super easy go to, it's not overly effective. We need more one to one activities...or at least something that gives the perception of one to one. Send an email. Use direct messages. Write a text. Go crazy and make a phone call or even stop by.?

SO WHAT'S NEXT?

Write down a list of your 10-20 favorite business associates. How many of them know each other? Maybe you setup a 4-top lunch where you bring 3 of your friends together who make sense to meet each other. Maybe you host an event and invite all of them. Perhaps you simply start by making some e-mail intros. Tell the people why you think they should connect and connect them.

Start now. Make the intros. Create magic for your network...and ultimately yourself.

Terry Bean is a business enablement professional who spends his time coaching, connecting and consulting with business owners and business growth leaders. He's also a sough after speaker based on his ability to deliver common knowledge in an uncommon way ;-)