Greet First: A Simple Mindset for Crowds, Teams, and Life

Last week I chased the Erin swell. The forecast promised long-period lines and solid size. I’d had a busy summer building the surf house, reshaping processes, and talking to investors. I was proud—and tired. A little snappy. I needed a reset.

We drove into a wild spot, off-road, far from the nearest village. Sunset. Stars. An early night. At first light the swell arrived. Clean walls, real push. The lineup filled with locals fast. That’s the moment where many travelers freeze. They sit on the shoulder. Or they paddle out stiff and defensive. Tension rises. Waves vanish.

I tried something simple that has never stopped working for me: greet first.

I paddled through the pack with a smile. “Salam, bonjour, how are you?” A quick handshake when it made sense. Not performative. Just human. The vibe changed. Locals smiled back. Space opened. Sets opened. I caught waves. I shared a few. We laughed. The session turned from “maybe” to “yes.”

Why “greet first” works

• It regulates the room. Warmth lowers threat. People stop bracing.

• It resets status games. Respect given is often respect returned.

• It invites collaboration. From “mine vs. yours” to “we’re managing this together.”

• It changes you. Your body relaxes. Your timing improves. You surf—and show up—better.

Try it anywhere

In the lineup: say hello to the nearest surfer. Ask, “How’s it been this morning?” Yield one wave early. Compliment a good ride.
In a meeting: greet by name. Name the goal. Ask a genuine question. Credit someone’s idea before pitching yours.
In your inbox: start with appreciation. Be clear. Offer one helpful action.
With family: soften your face. Breathe. Lead with care, then ask for what you need.

The session after

That night my buddy cooked. We slept early again. At dawn there were only two of us in the water. We traded long, quiet rides. No rush. Just rhythm. I paddled in full—and lighter. The lesson landed: mindset is a performance tool. “Greet first” isn’t small talk. It’s how you create flow under pressure.

A 7-day micro-challenge

• Day 1: greet first in the lineup.

• Day 2: greet first in a meeting.

• Day 3: greet first in a tough text.

• Day 4: yield one thing you want.

• Day 5: give one clean compliment.

• Day 6: ask a sincere question and listen.

• Day 7: write down what changed.

I build businesses, raise a son, and surf to stay sane. The ocean keeps reminding me: the energy you send out is the energy you surf on. Start simple. Greet first.

Work with me: if you want coaching on mindset, career shifts, or high-performance routines that don’t cost your soul, reach out. We’ll build your version of flow.