Roz Trieber - Top 7.5 Ways to Use Humor in Leadership

Top 7.5 Ways To Use Humor In Leadership

By Roz Trieber, MS, CHES

Relationships, Rapport, Cooperation, Influence, and Staff Development can all be enhanced by the appropriate use of humor.

The problem is many people are unaware of the fact that humor is the single most important communication strength. Nothing builds rapport faster than humor. It motivates, decreases anxiety and stress, increases mental clarity and increases productivity.

Laughter (the physical response to humor) is a form of tacit approval. It transcends all prejudice and pre-judgments and puts people at ease and is bonding. Folks like to work with and do business with happy people. It’s not about telling jokes or being a stand-up comic. Ask does it work, not is it funny?

Here is a list of the top 7.5 types of humor Leaders can use.

1. Quotes:

Example: “Humor is the great thing, the saving thing. The minute it crops up, all our irritations and resentments slip away and a sunny spirit takes their place.”
- Mark Twain

2. Cartoons: Gary Larson and Scott Adams are good examples.

3. Lists

Example: “Our new computer system will decrease the need for excess filing cabinets, decrease hard copy files, increase accuracy, and reduce personnel costs. But it won’t provide free gas and go coupons.”

4. Warnings:

Example: Found on Bowl Fresh Bathroom Freshener and Toilet Roll Holder:
CAUTION: Harmful if swallowed. Call physician immediately.
Comment: I imagine swallowing any toilet-roll holder would be harmful.

5. Letters and Memos

Example: a segment of a memo from a corporation with parking issues:
“Employees whose cars stick out in traffic lanes will have their rear ends painted red. If they continue to park this way, we will do the same thing to their cars.” Adapted from: Paulson, T. (1989). Making humor work, Menlo Park, CA: Crisp Publications, Inc.

6. Asking the right questions to find humor in adversity:

Example: How would your mother run the company?
How do my problems look from a million miles away?

7. Bulletin Boards:

Example: Provide a bulletin board devoted to funny material. This gives people an outlet to ex press their sense of humor. A bulletin board can include sections for the joke of the day, funny news clippings, funny cartoons, and photographs, outrageous postcards, and baby pictures. Bulletin boards are only limited by imagination.

7.5 Gag Gifts:

Example: Gag gifts communicate your sense of humor and keep co-workers loose and show they are appreciated. Gag gifts do not have to be elaborate. They can be as simple as a “Rush Job Calendar” (the days are numbered backward so you can order on the seventh and receive it on the first) or a coffee mug inscribed with a funny slogan (“Caution, my smile is contagious”). A T shirt bearing the slogan” I survived the Mickey Mouse Wild Goose Chase” can have a stress reducing effect accompanied by laughter when an intense project has been completed.

If you see yourself doing any of the above humor strategies, plan to develop permanent humor policy. If you see others doing these things, provide appropriate acknowledgement and recognition for enhancing a place where people want to work or live. Have a “Stressed” turned into “Desserts” celebration!

Roz Trieber works with organizations to reduce stress and increase productivity using humor and improvisation. For more information on Roz ’s speaking programs, books, cd's and learning programs contact HUMORFUSION at 410.998.9585 or Roz@humorfusion.com. (www.humorfusion.com)

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