How are vibes made? They’re made by people. Human energy is infectious, both good and bad. We feed off each other. In this essay, that energy is dimensioned by the Vibe Matrix. One axis measures the degree to which someone makes decisions (as a binary, Leader versus Follower) and the other reflects how explicit these choices are communicated (as a binary, Direct versus Indirect).

The Creators

Creators usually go first. They start group chats and host gatherings. They make jokes, tell stories, and are quick to pose a question. They will hard pitch an idea, whether people like it or not. A Creator will unabashedly share their opinion, ready to wrangle with disagreement. They’re naturally generative and expressive— they can’t help but emit a vibe. Why? Because they have a vision. In turn, they’re often confident and maybe even charismatic. They lead with power. They know how to perform. They go with their gut. In this way, they are stars.

As persuasive as they can be, Creators can also be polarizing. They are often the ones who get all the credit (or all the blame). While that might irritate others, the Creators are squarely in the spotlight because everyone else places their attention on them. They capture that attention, turning it into a moment, and then a memory.

The Curators

Curators also drive the vibe, but typically in more subtle ways. They steer conversations and redirect when tensions run high. Instead of outright rejecting a plan, they’ll softly suggest an alternative. Unlike the Creators, whose ideas come from within, Curators’ ideas come from observing what other people want. They organize behind the scenes, figuring out who to invite or how to sequence an event. They lead with direction. They know when to push and when to pull. They think things through. In this way, they are catalysts.

Curators can interpret the aims of the Creators, gauge buy-in from the Allies, and set expectations for the Audience. Their natural ability to connect with others helps them guide the vibe, but this empathy can boil over into anxiety and calcify into decision paralysis. Their worry can keep them waiting for cues rather than trusting their own judgment.

The Audience

If Creators are performers, then the Audience is their fans. They are the ones who laugh at the jokes, reply to the questions, and vote in the group chat. They accept invites wholeheartedly and cheer loudly. They reverberate their enthusiasm and admiration. In this way, they give purpose.

Like the Creators, they are also opinionated. They know what they like and what they don’t like. They voice what they want to see made by the Leaders. Because of their ability to hop in and out of feelings, they can quickly decide if they’ve had enough of a vibe and when it’s time to switch it up.

The Allies

Allies are also attendees at the party, but their engagement is less explicit. They might nod their heads or narrow their eyes. If the Leaders need it, they will arrive earlier or stay longer. They might not always respond directly, but the Leaders know they will agree without offense by the particulars. In this way, they provide peace.

Allies are naturally flexible and can fit any vibe. Without saying a word, they make the room feel complete. Sometimes, they don’t even need to be there to make their presence known. As easily as Allies adapt to the vibe, so do they absorb it. The good and the bad lingers with them. They’ll carry this visceral record and use it to decide whether they want to keep going with the flow. If they get burned, they probably won’t announce their exit. They’ll just stop showing up.

Every type has strengths and weaknesses, but the downsides tend to show themselves in extreme situations. The shadows of each kind are shown below:

The Killers

Creators can shut an idea down as quickly as they can cast one. They might say, I don’t like this or No, let’s not do that. Their rejection is firm; their opposition is final. They would rather protest than pivot to a different vibe.

The Critics

Curators can be thoughtful, but they can also analyze to an excess. Seeing things from every angle stretches into a doom loop. Overthinking muddles into miscommunication. Preoccupied with the story, a Curator might be too busy reading the room to actually be a part of the vibe.

The Extractors

When the Audience doesn’t give their genuine attention, they exhaust the energy of the Creators, who are precisely seeking a reaction. And when someone is constantly just watching, that eternal expectation for other people to entertain eventually fades into a feeling of emptiness.

The Absentees

If Allies are always “good with anything” or “down for whatever”, they risk being rather unhelpful. Curators need to dial in on some sense of preferences to make things happen. When Allies don’t back up the Leaders with presence, the vibe loses momentum.

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Of course, these are not fixed roles. You can (and probably should) shift between quadrants depending on the circumstances. Most people will move around during different phases of life and with different collections of people. But the matrix helps to explain when things feel off beat. When a plan falls flat. You need all types of people to create a good vibe. Everyone has a part to play. Certain vibes might come more naturally to some, but with consideration and practice, it’s possible to be anything. It’s maybe even fun to take turns.

Let’s analogize the Vibe Matrix to the elements of a good song. The Creators write the story, whether that’s the literal words or the emotional arc of the piece. The Curators compose the melody, crafting a satisfying sequence of notes. The Allies provide the harmony, shaping the song into a full sound. While it might seem like the Audience is the least involved, they are incredibly essential. The Audience is the rhythm. They decide what is worth our attention and the cadence to which that attention is placed. Like in any good song, the lyrics need to match the melody. The harmony needs to complement both of those parts. And all of these pieces need to fall according to the right tempo.

When you listen to music, what do you hear first? Do you tap to the beat, catch the tone, listen for the lyrics, or hum to the tune? In the same way, what part do you tend to play in the vibe? How do you sense if other people are vibing? Do you notice at all?

For better or for worse, vibes are all consuming. They are everywhere. Even though it can take some time and effort to find the right one, it’s worth it. You’ll feel it.

Special thanks to a few friends for co-creating the original structure of the Vibe Matrix and a lovely music festival for fostering the inspiration.