Networking and the Cupid effect

Valentine’s Day always revives interest in, and the impact of, my good friend Cupid.?For those of you who may be unaware, Cupid is a mythological winged cherub who acts as a catalyst for romance.

His escapades are well-documented. He surprises unsuspecting couples, poking them with invisible, love-laced arrows.?Once Cupid has awakened this emotion, the two parties see one another in a completely different light.

I call it the Cupid Effect. But is the Cupid Effect just a myth, or is it fact? Let’s think about how life operates.

You attend a networking event. A conversation partner -- whom you’ve been more or less putting in time with until someone better comes along -- casually mentions that he has a strong connection with a prospect you really want to meet.

SNAP! It's almost like you’ve been prodded in a “Cupid-esque” manner and this person now has your full attention. You suddenly see their value in a whole new light.

You attend your association's monthly meeting. As you're leaving, a colleague you barely know approaches with a friend. She's?adamant that the two of you need to meet. As it turns out, the friend is organizing an event and your colleague thought you'd be the perfect speaker for it.

SNAP! This unexpected act immediately changes your perception of this colleague. Her “Cupid-esque” networking strategy has given you a sudden, incredible appreciation for her value, both as a professional and as a person.

So how can you use the Cupid Effect to network in coming days and weeks?

1. Increase your awareness of the Cupid Effect, and trust in it. You will immediately see opportunities that you never thought existed.
2. Become a Cupid by consciously investing time and effort in?discovering whom others want and need to connect with as you network.
3. Create “Cupid-esque” connections with others. Simply setting this principle in motion produces unexpected and unanticipated results, for you and?your Cupid Effect?targets.

Happy Valentine’s Day.

This week's tip: I believe our friend Cupid is continually at work in our lives. This time of year highlights how powerful the Cupid Effect is, when applied strategically.

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