I love stand-up comedy. I love the energy. I love the artistic creativity of the comic, and I just love to laugh. It warms my soul.
I was grateful to have the opportunity to interview Nick Holtvluwer on the podcast recently. Nick was a great guest. What a positive attitude, winning mindset, and indeed comedic talent! Nick shared that he tried doing stand-up comedy in college and recently got back into it. He is taking classes in Denver, performing again, and loves it. You can watch the full podcast here:
You can follow him here on Instagram & FB: @Nick_Holtvluwer, https://www.facebook.com/nicholas.holtvluwer/
I asked him a question about whether he sticks to a script or has some back-and-forth with the crowd during his shows. He quickly said, “Oh yes, when something is going on in the room, you have to respond to it.” This got me reflecting on my own leadership, whether it’s in a business, in a school, when I referee, or just with family. When something is going on in the room, you have to respond to it, good or bad.
There were many times when I was on cafeteria duty, good or bad, when something happened and I had to respond. When it was someone’s birthday, when someone got asked to the prom, when someone won the election, and when a team won the championship, you had to respond to what was going on in the room.
Reading the room, as my wife says, is definitely a leadership characteristic and gives me a chance to make an appropriate response. A smile, a hug, and in the life of a comedian, maybe a witty joke, and building on that capacity.
A couple of years ago, I saw Jo Koy, a great comic, in Poughkeepsie, NY. He responded to the energy in the room like I had never seen before.
He was so engaged with the crowd that my wife and I still talk about it today. Regardless of your role, friends, when something is going on in the room, just like Nick said, definitely respond!
I am booking leadership events for the summer of 26 and even have a few events booked into 2027. While I’m not a stand-up comedian, I do make sure there is humor and joy in my presentation and workshops, mixed in with proven leadership strategies and practical techniques you can use in your daily life. Reach out to connect! Keep surviving & thriving! #SurviveThrive
