I admire a good opportunist. But the term isn't necessarily positive. It connotes someone who can exploit situations to personal benefit. The stereotypical opportunist is a social chameleon who changes  colors with the crowd. The opportunist is that guy at the office who talks to you only if he thinks you might help him mount the next rung on the ladder. You can spot an opportunist by his brown nose. But, of course, this is all stigma.

Being able to spot an opportunity and seize it is immeasurably important in a networking world.  But even beyond networking it is just an important life-skill. In dating, relationships, creative, and scholastic pursuits, position is of key importance. And positioning is the true talent of the opportunist. He knows where he needs to stand exactly so that the ball will come to him without defender interference. He has to recognize the weaknesses and strengths of every one on the field so he can push the ball forward. Is this an egocentric way to look at it? As a game of soccer (football for our international crowd)? Is it possible that we can be opportunists and not become attached to the stigma of leaving people behind? I think so.

Admittedly I am no good opportunist. I am becoming better, yes, but it takes a lot of training to consciously scan the entire field
at all times. My brain doesn't think that way. But I wonder, as someone with ambition, how to reconcile loyalty with opportunism. When should I remain loyal to say a company or a boss and when should I move on at the whim of a great opportunity? Or to put it another way, how can I remain loyal to past opportunities as I follow the path of new ones? Maybe I could become an opportunity bestower (is there a proper word for that?) Maybe staying loyal just means that I should give back to the people that helped me?

For those with more experience in the networking workforce, how do you manage to spot opportunities, and then how do you decide whether to follow them or not?