How to use humor at work effectively
A finance director stands in front of hundreds of employees to reveal the annual figures. No, it's not the start of the most corporate joke ever, but something I saw a few weeks ago.
Useful takeaways from this story.
A finance director stands in front of hundreds of employees to reveal the annual figures.
No, it's not the start of the most corporate joke ever, but something I saw a few weeks ago.
In fact, the last time he was on stage was back in high school, playing Kenickie in a production of Grease.
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The useful part
A finance director stands in front of hundreds of employees to reveal the annual figures. No, it's not the start of the most corporate joke ever, but something I saw a few weeks ago. In fact, the last time he was on stage was back in high school, playing Kenickie in a production of Grease.
How it works
- Help the room, rather than perform for it The best humor makes it easier for people to listen, learn, and work together.
- We don't often see humor in senior leaders or managers in the workplace.
- I once worked with someone who made quips all the time.
- He promises that if anyone falls asleep while he talks through the figures, as punishment for being boring, he'll sing "Greased Lightnin'" to wake them up.
What to take from it
It creates a window into the real person on stage. Because of that, it's a surefire way to be heard. The finance director suddenly became someone the whole audience has an interest in actually listening to.
Example or evidence
Details worth keeping
Cue appreciative chuckles as the audience warms to him. The worst kind asks everyone to stop and admire the person being funny.
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