Class Takeaways — Humor: Serious Business

TL;DR

Laughing changes our brains, making us more creative, bonded, and resilient. Humor is crucial in building trust and combating arrogance, but we've lost our sense of humor at work. It's time to start taking humor seriously.

Transcript

[MUSIC] Hi, I'm Jennifer Aaker. I'm a behavioral scientist who spent my career, studying, what actually creates happiness and life versus what we think. >> I'm Naomi Bagdonas. I'm a corporate strategist who spent my career straddling the worlds of business and improv comedy, which was a wide straddle. I'm Connor Diemand-Yauma, a social entrepreneur... Read More

Key Insights

• 😄 Laughing changes our brain chemistry, making us more creative, bonded, and resilient.
• 😚 Many people lose their sense of humor when they enter the workforce, but humor is a valuable asset that should be reintroduced.
• 💦 Identifying and understanding our own humor style can help us incorporate humor into our lives and work.
• 💦 Making small shifts from transactional to human interactions can create a more humorous and enjoyable work environment.
• 🙃 De-risking humor involves considering how it will make others feel and ensuring we don't punch down or offend.
• 🥺 Humor and seriousness can coexist in leadership, leading to more effective outcomes.
• 🥡 Taking humor seriously can transform workplace culture, boosting creativity, trust, and resilience.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the four broad humor styles?

The four broad humor styles are stand up, sweetheart, sniper, and magnet. Stand ups are bold entertainers, sweethearts are earnest and lighthearted, snipers are edgy and sarcastic, and magnets are expressive and charismatic.

Q: How can individuals cultivate humor?

Individuals can cultivate humor by making simple observations throughout the day, finding things that are interesting or amusing. It's about looking at the world in a different way and actively searching for humor.

Q: How can humor be risky, and how can it be de-risked?

Humor can be risky, but it can be de-risked by considering how it will make others feel instead of focusing on being funny. It is important to avoid making fun of people of lower status and to maintain an appropriate distance when making light of certain subjects.

Q: Can humor coexist with seriousness in leadership?

Yes, humor can coexist with seriousness in leadership. Leaders like Madeleine Albright, Stephen Curry, and Sara Blakely demonstrate that serious missions can be accomplished without taking ourselves too seriously, and humor often enhances performance.

Summary

In this video, Jennifer Aaker, Naomi Bagdonas, and Connor Diemand-Yauma discuss the power of humor in leadership and the workplace. They emphasize that humor is a teachable skill that can enhance creativity, bonding, and resilience. However, they also point out that many people lose their sense of humor as they enter the workforce and only rediscover it after retirement. To address this, they present five key takeaways from their course on humor as a means to climb back up the "humor cliff" and add more humor to work and life.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the four broad humor styles?

The four broad humor styles are stand-up, sweetheart, sniper, and magnet. Stand-ups are bold entertainers who aren't afraid to take risks for laughs. Sweethearts use understated humor to lighten the mood. Snipers employ edgy, sarcastic, and unexpected digs. Magnets are expressive, charismatic, and embrace silliness.

Q: How can simple observations help in adding humor to daily life?

By making simple observations throughout the day of things that are interesting, odd, or amusing, individuals can add more humor to their daily lives. For example, noticing funny quirks about oneself or finding humor in mundane situations. It's about looking at the world in a different way and training your brain to find humor by actively seeking it.

Q: How can humor be incorporated into the workplace?

In the workplace, small shifts can move us from transactional to human. This can be as simple as adding a light-hearted line at the end of your LinkedIn bio or sharing a funny clip at the start of a meeting. It's about finding ways to infuse humor into daily interactions and fostering a more positive and enjoyable work environment.

Q: What are some tips for de-risking humor?

Humor can be risky, but there are strategies to de-risk it. Instead of asking, "Will this make me sound funny?" ask, "How will this make other people feel?" It's important to consider the impact of your humor on others. Additionally, avoid punching down or making fun of someone of lower status. Lastly, be mindful of your distance to the topic you are joking about and ensure you aren't crossing any boundaries.

Q: Why is it important for leaders to embrace humor?

Many successful leaders, from Madeleine Albright to Stephen Curry, have demonstrated that humor doesn't undermine the seriousness of their mission or work. In fact, humor can enhance their effectiveness. Leaders who can take their work seriously without taking themselves too seriously create a positive and engaging environment that fosters creativity and productivity.

Takeaways

Humor is a valuable asset that can enhance creativity, bonding, and resilience. By understanding their humor style and adopting simple techniques, individuals can add more humor to their lives. In the workplace, humor can create a more positive and enjoyable environment. However, it's essential to de-risk humor by considering its impact on others and not crossing boundaries. Ultimately, leaders can inspire and create meaningful impact by embracing humor without compromising their mission. So, it's time to take humor seriously and start climbing back up the "humor cliff."

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Humor is a powerful asset that enhances creativity, trust, and resilience in the workplace.

• Many people fall into one or two of the four broad humor styles: stand up, sweetheart, sniper, and magnet.

• Simple techniques from the world of comedy can help individuals cultivate humor and view the world differently.