Your LOVE Connection! Listen up and feel the vibrations

Do you remember that old show called Love Connection? It was one of those late-night game shows that I probably shouldn’t have been watching, but I never regretted it. Hosted by Chuck Woolery, the premise was simple: strangers would meet and see if they could spark a love connection. I found it amusing, and it got me thinking about my own experiences with connection.

I’ve always felt I have a sort of superpower when it comes to bouncing off straight guys. I can sense energy with certain people, typically men. I know, it sounds like a weak superpower, but let me explain. In a perfect world, I’d wish for every guy to have a neon sign on his forehead, revealing his orientation and level of interest—gay, straight, bisexual, or just a future buddy. It’s a fanciful idea, but in our modern world, it feels like the kind of request I could throw into the AI ether. Hey ChatGPT…

Now, I love women, too, but primarily as friends, colleagues, or mentors. I’m a man who’s attracted to men. That’s simply who I am. However, the tricky part is that when I meet someone, I often can’t tell where they fall on the orientation spectrum. Sometimes, I wish I had those neon signs to make navigating connections easier.

You’ve probably heard of “leading with your jaw.” Well, I’ve chosen to lead with my heart. This doesn’t always work out in my favor, and it often leaves me feeling disappointed or heartbroken. But there’s a silver lining. Being open and true to myself has led to some of the deepest friendships with men, which I cherish.

As a young adult, I struggled with my feelings, often burying them under layers of alcohol. When I entered recovery, a close friend suggested my heavy drinking might have stemmed from fear of expressing who I truly was. While I’m still wrestling with that perspective, it has made me realize that true communication begins with being true to oneself. Otherwise, you become like a harried waiter, racing from one person to the next, trying to please everyone.

I don’t rush anyone to come out of the closet. I certainly didn’t. It took me until I was 40 to tell my closest friend while I was a bit “over-served.” Gradually, family and friends learned my secret, which had been locked away for decades. It was both a relief and a frustration to find that no one was actually shocked. I had held onto this “problem” for so long, and the only person who seemed to care was me.

On the business front, I channeled my newfound confidence into developing a communications pillar I call my LOVE Connection. Physicality, mindset, connection, and technology—essentially became the pillars of my business communication system. I urge you to reflect on moments when you felt a unique connection with someone—often a singular individual—especially in a business setting.

When you feel that energy shift, it’s crucial to trust it. The key to successful interactions lies in recognizing and embracing these feelings. It’s similar to the chemistry we often associate with romantic connections, but it extends way beyond that. We all know the statistics about marriage; the odds aren’t in our favor. So why not focus on cultivating connections in business instead? Hey- 50% business success is pretty incredible, right?

Think about networking events. You’re surrounded by people, and your job is to identify viable candidates or partners. Have you ever felt an energy shift when talking to someone? It’s those moments that reveal the “right” people for you. Embracing this energy can lead to great friendships, clients, and collaborators.

Here’s how to navigate these situations: trust your feelings, slow down the conversation, and ask questions about the other person. This approach not only builds rapport but also enhances the energy in the room. When you’re genuinely curious about someone else, you elevate the interaction.

Building these relationships has profoundly impacted my life. Yes, I sometimes experience heartbreak, but I’ve also formed incredibly strong bonds. By being true to myself and honoring these connections, I’ve discovered invaluable friendships and business partnerships.

So, to wrap it up: trust your feelings, in fact…lean into the energy. They’re real and meaningful. You might not always get the result you expect, but if you handle these situations with compassion and respect, you’ll cultivate relationships well worth having. In the end, it’s all about feeling something. I’ve come to realize that in business, people only do something, when they feel something. As Chuck Woolery would say, “We’ll be back in 2 and 2!”