Gus Vieweg

Learn to build your confidence, soft skills, & community
Writer & Event Host / 1,100+ students and counting

[Gus Vieweg @GusVieweg]

If you're not sure if improv is right for you, read this.

There are 2 outcomes from trying improv:

1. You learn how to:

- Connect with people
- Make local, adult friends
- Improve your communication

or...

2. Laugh for hours on end.

Where's the downside?

[Gus Vieweg @GusVieweg]

what the hell is up with denver airport

[Gus Vieweg @GusVieweg]

@RobAdamsFL @nickgraynews The "hokeyness" comes from poor facilitation though

People want to meet people and icebreakers are a great way for folks to start putting themselves out there in a way that makes it easy to meet others

But poor facilitators detract from that goal

[Gus Vieweg @GusVieweg]

@AdmiredLeaders @nickgraynews Improv skills that come in useful for this:

- Active listening
- Reading the room
- Being willing to stand up for the group

[Gus Vieweg @GusVieweg]

This applies to improv as well.

One of the comments to this says his rules are never to say the word "ice breaker".

I've been slowly removing the word improv from my lexicon... and people have been responding to my events better.

Weird!

[Nick Gray @nickgraynews]

I think many people hate icebreakers because most hosts and event leaders do them so poorly and incorrectly

[Gus Vieweg @GusVieweg]

@nickgraynews Because now the focus isn't on one-upping or being performative.

The focus is on being real, honest, and authentic.

And don't we all want to meet people like that?

[Gus Vieweg @GusVieweg]

@nickgraynews Instead, set parameters on a Fun Fact. Ask a simple question. Here are a few to get started:

- "What was the first job you got paid for?"
- "What did you have for breakfast today?"
- "What is something that made you smile this week?"

Why?

[Gus Vieweg @GusVieweg]

@nickgraynews related

[Gus Vieweg @GusVieweg]

@nickgraynews I'm long on icebreakers and two hour cocktail parties

[Gus Vieweg @GusVieweg]

@Jayyanginspires after learning a bit about them...

"what's one of your favorite (insert thing)?"

I love saying "one of your favorite" because it takes the pressure off of them to try and say their single absolute favorite thing (they usually overthink it)

[judah @joodalooped]

good morning

[Gus Vieweg @GusVieweg]

@achxvi the seo description is "make the web fun again"

you can tell how Lochie feels when the web isn't fun

[Gus Vieweg @GusVieweg]

@nickgraynews I feel it will put undue pressure on your relationship.

The story is important and people will benefit a ton from reading it... years from now. It's too fresh, Nick!

It's too fresh!

[Gus Vieweg @GusVieweg]

this is pretty much my entire outlook on life

[Gus Vieweg @GusVieweg]

@nomanautomata @soundrotator Not to mention the framework of improv allows everyone to work toward a shared goal (comedy) through individual perspectives

It's a great way to be yourself, get accepted, and build something with others

[Gus Vieweg @GusVieweg]

Why are popular social clubs in decline?

"In 1976, the Elks had 1,611,139 members. As of June 2020, it claimed to have more than 750,000 members."

That's a decline of 53%

Are they just old boy clubs now? Why aren't new members joining?

[Gus Vieweg @GusVieweg]

@br___ian Getting clear on where to live was amazing for me. I highly recommend prototyping your journey if you can. I wrote what I did here:

https://t.co/ObiOxH2OHy

[Gus Vieweg @GusVieweg]

@ScooterSamara Just don't call 'em icebreakers and you're halfway there 😉

[Gus Vieweg @GusVieweg]

I think too many meetups / events are based on efficiency rather than other core human values

If I go to a Python event, they talk about the best ways to do things

I don't think that's good for connecting with or meeting others

Instead, I think it would be interesting to have a "Terrible Hackathon" where you and maybe a small team have to build something

- The worst Hello World program
- Code that uses some esoteric package
- The silliest / least efficient implementation of something

Bond over humor, creativity, and connection

Not efficiency

[Gus Vieweg @GusVieweg]

I would say yes!

If you can create an environment free from judgement, encourage failure, and get people talking, you've done it.

I used to run a comedy Meetup and I was adamant about those three things.

People would keep coming back.

They got to experience autonomy, creativity, and freedom amongst peers they had NOTHING in common with.

A 17-year-old applying to college.
A 78-year-old ex-CEO of a European hoteling company.
A 50-year-old real estate developer.
A 35-year-old LARPer.

They melted together.

What is your approach to answering your question? How do you become a mechanic of vibes?