I haven’t met a single person on the planet who actually enjoys forced fun. You know the kind: awkward, scripted icebreakers that feel more like work than connection.
Now you can replace this pain with a three-minute, intentional opener that actually works.
My job (somehow) is helping some of the smartest leaders and educators in the world make connection and engagement easy. And I’m psyched to share one of the most concrete, easiest openers I’ve ever tested, thousands of times. It’s quick, simple, and best of all, people love it.
The Problem with “Hello, My Name Is…”
Here’s where this idea came from.
I was at an event with those classic “Hello, my name is ___” name tags. I scribbled in “Chad,” wore it around all day, and left thinking:
There is no way on Earth that a first name is the best possible entry point to a meaningful conversation.
Because if you want to stop forcing fun, you need the exact opposite, something that teleports people directly into a real, relevant conversation they’re glad to have.
A first name doesn’t do that.
But what if your nametag actually created connection before content?
Connection Before Content in Action
Imagine I show up with a name tag that says what I’ve actually been thinking about lately, like Jeeps, traveling in the Sahara, or which microwave I’m about to buy.
Now you’ve got an instant opening to talk about something I genuinely care about. And just like that, we skip the small talk and jump into a conversation that actually matters.
That’s the magic of putting connection before content: it’s safe, comfortable, and within three minutes, you’ve got people talking about things that light them up. And when people connect over those things? That’s when conversations stick.
How to Try This 3-Minute Icebreaker
You can pick up the We! Connect Sticker Nametags I designed, or you can recreate the idea yourself. It’s as simple as filling in a prompt:
- “I’ve been thinking a lot about…”
- “I am curious about…”
- “I would like to learn more about…”
That’s it. Three minutes. No cringy forced fun. Just meaningful connection.
Join the Connectors Summit
If you’d like to see connection before content in action, join me for the Connectors Summit this December. It’s live, virtual (no plane required), and filled with incredible connectors who believe in and have experienced the power of authentic engagement.
