Week 3

Energy is contagious. As a DJ and emcee, I’ve seen how one shift in tone, one song, or even one word can transform a crowd. Reading the room isn’t optional — it’s survival.

At weddings, I’ve watched dance floors fill up and empty out in seconds. One moment the crowd is buzzing; the next, the room goes flat as people drift to their tables. At corporate events, executives often walk in stiff and serious, only to loosen their ties when the right track hits. The difference isn’t just the playlist — it’s the ability to notice faces, hear conversations, and sense the collective mood.

I remember a wedding where the dance floor emptied after a song fell flat. Instead of forcing the next track, I paused and scanned the room. In the corners, I noticed small clusters swaying and singing quietly to each other. That was the cue. I switched to a timeless sing-along classic. Within thirty seconds, the room united, voices lifted, and the dance floor came alive again. That moment had nothing to do with luck — it was about listening to what the room needed.

And here’s what most people miss: the same skill applies far beyond the dance floor. When I walk into a VA leadership meeting, I’m reading the room the same way. Who’s engaged? Who’s checked out? Where’s the tension? I’ve been in sessions where a great idea would have fallen flat if I didn’t first acknowledge the frustration in the room. Once the mood was named, the energy shifted — and the idea gained traction.

That’s why I rely on a simple framework:

The L.A.D. Method

1. Listen. Hear what’s being said — and notice what isn’t. Tone, silence, and body language often reveal more than words. We have two ears and one mouth for a reason: listen more, talk less.

2. Adapt. Adjust your style to meet the moment. At a wedding, it might mean switching to a line dance. In leadership, it might mean softening your delivery when people need reassurance.

3. Deliver. Once you’ve matched the room, bring your message — or your music — with clarity and confidence. Alignment creates impact.

Every room has a rhythm. Leaders, performers, and parents alike succeed when they tune in before they speak up.

Weekly Quote:
“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.”
— Stephen R. Covey

One reset at a time,
HayZ

👉 Question of the Week: How do you read the room in your world — at work, at home, or in life?