The term rainmaking conjures up visions of shamans
communing with deities, willing rain to fall with song and dance.
Indeed, that is where the term originated—from the rain
dances performed by Native Americans in the southwestern United
States, particularly during times of drought.1 In the
business context, a "rainmaker" is someone who fosters
new streams of cash flow by what appears to be, at least for most
of us, pure magic.2 Let me assure you, however, that
rainmaking (at least in business) does not require any magical
powers. Anyone can become a rainmaker with targeted community
involvement, consistent social engagement, and a dash of
confidenc
When I was a junior associate at one of the highest grossing law
firms in the world, my idea of a rainmaker was a gray-haired
partner (let's face it, a male partner) who generated tens of
millions of dollars in originations each year based on his social
connections alone. He did not perform the actual day-to-day
