Humor, Seriously

Why should 'professional' mean serious? Humor, when used well, can build trust, foster creativity, and make workplaces far more productive.

1. Humor is a Skill Anyone Can Learn

Humor feels like a trait some are born with, but the authors argue it's a skill that anyone can develop. While you don’t need to be a stand-up comedian, you can bring levity into situations by observing the world around you. From childhood to adulthood, we often lose our playful side due to societal pressures to appear “professional.” This mindset can hold us back from experiencing joy and connection.

One compelling reason to bring humor into your daily rhythm is its proven impact on well-being. Scientific studies show that laughter triggers the release of feel-good hormones like dopamine, endorphins, and oxytocin. It lowers stress hormones like cortisol, leaving us feeling less stressed and more relaxed. These benefits extend to both our personal lives and professional environments.

The key takeaway is that humor doesn't mean cracking jokes constantly. It’s about finding and appreciating moments of shared levity. With practice, anyone can develop this skill and reap the rewards, both personally and professionally.

Examples

• Gallup found laughter decreases significantly after age 23, tying to a decline in playfulness.
• Humor boosts oxytocin, fostering trust and connection among coworkers.
• Even "non-funny" people using self-deprecating humor have seen better workplace relationships.

2. The Four Styles of Humor

Everyone has a unique way of expressing humor. The authors identify four main humor styles: stand-ups, magnets, sweethearts, and snipers. These categories help people define their comedic tendencies and choose the right tone for different situations.

Stand-ups tend to use edgier humor, unafraid of roasts or a darker twist. Magnets charm with their enthusiasm and lighthearted jokes. Sweethearts take an innocent but clever approach, using humor to uplift. Snipers utilize sarcasm and precision in their one-liners. Understanding your default is important, but being adaptable is even more valuable.

A workplace might benefit from different styles in various contexts. For instance, a magnet’s uplifting humor could energize brainstorming sessions, whereas a sweetheart’s gentle quips might soothe tension after mistakes. The goal isn’t to box people in but to encourage self-awareness and versatility.

Examples

• Stand-ups might use roasts in light-hearted team-building exercises.
• Sweethearts excel at crafting jokes that boost morale during slow projects.
• A sniper, with precision humor, could diffuse high-stakes meetings.

3. Truth and Shared Recognition Form the Core of Humor

At the heart of successful humor is truth. Observing real-life absurdities and pointing them out creates moments of connection. These shared experiences allow people to laugh and feel seen. Even mundane stories, when told well, can resonate universally.

However, humor involving sensitive emotions, like anger or pain, must be approached carefully. Channeling those feelings toward a neutral target keeps humor more relatable and less risky. Timing is critical—jokes about recent setbacks might alienate rather than bring people together.

Using contrasts in your life can also highlight humor. For instance, juxtaposing professional success with relatable family dynamics shows humanity and makes leaders more approachable. Everyone loves a story where they can nod along and exclaim, “That’s so me!”

Examples

• Highlighting a mix-up like mistakenly saying “enjoy your meal” to a waiter.
• Sharing the paradox: raising $1M for work, but still grocery shopping for picky relatives.
• Keeping high-stress stories light by adding humorous side notes or exaggerations.

4. Techniques to Help You Be Funnier

Even if humor doesn’t come naturally to you, leveraging tools like exaggeration, analogies, specificity, and the rule of three can make your attempts more successful. Exaggeration adds surprise, specificity helps listeners visualize, and analogies stimulate connection through comparison.

The rule of three is perhaps the shortest route to a laugh. It relies on setting up a pattern with two expected items and then introducing an unexpected twist. The brain recognizes the break in the pattern, sparking a comedic reaction.

These techniques can be practiced in day-to-day life, both inside and beyond the office. They add structure to humor, making it more approachable and reliable.

Examples

• Exaggeration: Someone claiming they wore "corduroy pants to feel safe during a massage."
• Specificity: Instead of saying someone ran late, explain they were "ten minutes late and sweating through traffic in a Prius."
• Rule of three: “I brought coffee, donuts, and hot wings for breakfast.”

5. Use Humor to Build Creativity

Teams thrive when given the space to explore wild or unconventional ideas. Encouraging playful brainstorming sessions with no wrong answers can uncover creative solutions. The authors introduce "The Bad Idea Brainstorm" as a humorous way to generate genuine innovation.

When people stop worrying about judgment, their brains relax into lateral thinking—essential for problem-solving. Humor activates this mental flexibility and energizes teams. This approach reduces fear of failure and encourages experiments, leading to stronger results.

Observing real workplaces that embrace silliness demonstrates its power. Companies that prioritize humor typically report higher employee satisfaction and open communication.

Examples

• Creating a safe space for silly ideas leads to innovative results.
• Humor in meetings reduces tension, fostering more participation.
• Successful ad campaigns often stemmed from unexpected ideas born in playful sessions.

6. Humor Is a Tool That Must Be Handled with Care

Humor is powerful, but misusing it risks hurt feelings or creating distrust. Sensitivity, empathy, and awareness allow you to read the room effectively. Before joking, consider cultural differences or potential pain points. Ask yourself: “How will this comment make people feel?”

If a joke misfires, owning the mistake openly rebuilds connections. Admitting fault and finding humor in your own error creates trust. Showing vulnerability by addressing the issue sets a healthy example for your team.

Using humor responsibly means making it inclusive. Jokes that rely on stereotypes, insults, or exclusion can’t foster connection and instead harm relationships.

Examples

• Reading the "truth-pain-distance" spectrum avoids poorly timed humor.
• Blakely's “Oops Meetings” show vulnerability and invite connection.
• Owning a misstep reassures colleagues that mistakes are normal.

7. Inject Authenticity into Conversations and Emails

Professional doesn’t need to mean distant or formal. Relaxed, human interaction, whether face-to-face or online, leaves lasting impressions. Avoid robotic language in emails. Instead, tailor your message to the recipient’s context or shared situations.

You can make emails more personable through personal anecdotes, playful sign-offs, or relevant news. Humor adds color, making communication engaging and memorable. Remember even LinkedIn or Twitter profiles can highlight personality alongside achievements.

First impressions matter and having a sense of humor showcases confidence and approachability.

Examples

• Starting an email with “Hope you’re surviving the heat wave” connects over a shared experience.
• A CEO’s witty LinkedIn bio doubled as evidence of his creativity and humility.
• Customizing messages with mirth boosts connections and responses.

8. Leaders Can Drive Connection Through Humor

Leadership today demands authenticity. People trust leaders who break down walls with humor, not stoic figures. Shared laughter builds long-term bonds faster than traditional team activities.

Humor isn’t about showmanship but vulnerability. Leaders who admit mistakes humanize themselves and create environments of psychological safety. Employees respond better when they know it’s okay to laugh, stumble, and learn.

Well-timed lightheartedness can rebuild trust, persuade stakeholders, and motivate teams. By balancing authority with approachability, leaders foster loyal, creative, and high-performing workplaces.

Examples

• Practicing self-deprecating humor makes authority figures relatable.
• Casual praisings, like impromptu public cheers, feel natural and memorable.
• Allow employees to be humor conduits by encouraging team leaders.

9. Why Humor Boosts Workplace Productivity

Workplaces full of laughter experience higher engagement, better communication, and less stress. Shared humor strengthens team connections, leading to collaboration instead of competition. It fosters a culture of trust where making mistakes isn’t punished but learned from.

Using humor to de-escalate intense moments or make mundane tasks lighter boosts morale. Genuine laughter has measurable benefits for mental health, paving the path for employees to work confidently and productively.

Organizations striving for cultures grounded in joy and trust see gains in productivity as employees feel less isolated and more empowered.

Examples

• Employees who laugh together are more engaged with team goals.
• Humor increases creativity, driving business results during brainstorms.
• Overall productivity improves as trust rises through consistent lightheartedness.

Takeaways

1. Use the "Bad Idea Brainstorm" to combine humor with innovation.
2. Practice telling your funny stories to hone them for meetings and conversations.
3. Commit to humor that uplifts, avoiding stereotypes or divisive remarks.