The “Samesie” Moment: How One Pair of Converse Taught Me About Connection

Connection starts before the first cue. The moment you walk into the room, your goal isn’t just to fill the space, it’s to create it. And the fastest way to do that? Find a “Samesie” moment.

I use this trick every time I walk into a class, sales meeting, or new space, even when the stakes are high. A few years ago, I was working with Adele during a semi-private session with a few other people. When I first met her, my eyes went straight to her shoes — classic black-and-white Converse. Instantly, my brain lit up because I had just bought a pair of high-tops at TJ Maxx for $14.99 (an absolute steal). The only problem? I didn’t try them on… and they didn’t fit.

So naturally, I called it out. I said, “Love the shoes! I actually just grabbed a pair of the high-top version at TJ Maxx because they were $14.99, but the damn things didn’t fit!”

She laughed and said, “Oh, I’ve had these forever.”
I replied, “They’re supposedly the best when they’re broken in, I wouldn’t know.”

And just like that, the energy shifted. She wasn’t Adele the superstar anymore, she was just another person who loved a good sneaker moment. That was our “Samesie” moment. A quick, human, and real connection.

When you lead with something relatable, people instantly relax. They feel like they know you. It’s not about being funny or clever; it’s about noticing something small, true, and shared.

Try it the next time you walk into class:

“Anyone else feel like this AC is auditioning for Antarctica?”
“Please tell me I’m not the only one powered by caffeine today.”
“Who else almost talked themselves out of coming? Same, the difference is, I knew all of you would be like, ‘Where’s the teacher?’”

Those small, honest moments spark the “Samesie.”
And that’s how you build connection: one conversation, one laugh, and sometimes, one pair of ill-fitting Converse at a time.