Even if, like me before writing this column, you haven’t heard of it by name, you almost certainly have experienced the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon.

A HowStuffWorks article by Katie Kershner explains it at such: “This phenomenon occurs when the thing you’ve just noticed, experienced or been told about suddenly crops up constantly.

“It gives you the feeling that out of nowhere, pretty much everyone and their cousin are talking about the subject — or that it is swiftly surrounding you. And you’re not crazy; you are totally seeing it more. But the thing is, of course, that’s because you’re noticing it more,” Kershner writes.

Kershner explains that this phenomenon is also called “frequency illusion or recency illusion.”

This being an automotive publication and all, I’ve also heard this type of thing referred to as the “blue-car syndrome.”

After some sort of experience with a blue car (maybe you rent one, buy one, ride in one), you start noticing more blue cars on the road.

Well, the “blue car” I noticed seemingly everywhere in late March and early April was the repetition of these two concepts:

— Respond, don’t react.

— Networking and relationship-building are perhaps two of the top keys to a successful career.

These themes came up in chit-chatting at the office, in discussions at our company’s Women & Automotive Canadian Leadership Forum, during one of my favorite podcasts (the “Adam Carolla Show”) and in editing the Women in Remarketing Q&As in the April 15 edition of Auto Remarketing. 

And thank goodness for that.

Those messages resonated with me (and many others, I would venture).

But to take it a step further, this kind of sage advice is one of the primary reasons we at Cherokee Media Group produce such franchise issues and events as Women in Remarketing in the U.S., Women & Automotive in Canada and programs recognizing industry leaders under age 40 in both countries.

I would hope (and truly believe) the honorees take great pride and appreciation in receiving this kind of recognition.

But selfishly, I get a lot out of programs like Women in Remarketing, simply because of the lessons learned from our honorees.

And my hope is that you will, too.

When you read the Q&As with each of our 20 honorees in the April 15 issue (which start on page 12) there might be a “blue car” or two that sticks with you.

Some nugget of wisdom, unique approach to leadership or a different take than your own that resonates.

Don’t brush it aside as random or a coincidence (or “irony,” Alanis).

Such manifestation of the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon could just be serendipitous motivation.

I know it was for me.