When people learn that I used to be a comedian, they positively burst
into life. They move closer; tell me about their favorite comedy club, ask who
is my favorite stand-up, and then they always tell me a joke.
Since entering business, I’ve wondered: Why don’t most
people use more humor in their work? One reason is that most people equate humor
with stand-up comedy and question how appropriate it is for business. Another
reason is that they think they’re “just not funny,” and they
don’t want to look foolish.
They are wrong on both counts. Humor is used daily in the real world,
by real people, and with real, bottom-line benefits. Real, everyday humor is less
about being funny than about having fun. This is good news.
When the task at hand is fun, you can’t stop people from tackling it. Better
yet, laughter replaces negative stress (distress) chemicals with positive (eustress)
ones, which can translate to better health and attitudes. Positive emotion also
dramatically improves creative and cognitive thinking. And, appropriate humor
can strengthen interpersonal relations, leading to improved team productivity.
So, here is the rule for taking the fear out of using your natural
sense of creativity and play (humor) at work. I call it: The Comedian’s
Secret Weapon.
Let’s start with the only bad news: If you use humor, sooner
or later you will bomb. As a former stand-up comic, I’m an expert on
the subject. Everybody bombs. Comedians all know this, and yet they don’t
fear it. Why? Because they have a simple strategy to deal with it: Be the
first one to point out that you just bombed, using a funny “ad lib”
you made up in advance. You’ve heard them before: “Hm, I seem
to be experiencing Mental Pause.” “Yes, I am a product of the public
education system, why do you ask?” “As you can see, I did inhale.”
Do you think comedians come up with these on the spot? Almost never.
“Bombing” at work usually involves committing some small
gaffe or boo-boo. Maybe you offer an idea at a meeting that doesn’t hold
up under scrutiny. Maybe your PowerPoint presentation crashes. These things happen!
Everybody bombs! But in bombing, and then humorously acknowledging it, you give
your listeners two wonderful gifts: 1) renewed respect for your competence and
confidence, and 2) reassurance that they might bomb in front of you without fear
of ridicule. So, a nice little bomb can actually increase rapport and respect.
Know the difference between a “bomb” and a “mistake.”
A mistake is something that causes damage or injury, puts someone in danger, or
embarrasses them. A bomb is a harmless gaffe that causes only embarrassment—and
only to you. Tripping over your wedding dress and falling on your bouquet is a
bomb. Losing a million dollars of your company’s money is a big mistake.
Apologize for your mistakes, but acknowledge your bombs. Come up with your own
ad libs: “Believe me, there’s lots more where that came from!”
Even saying, “Thank you, very much” will do the trick. Say or do something.
But do not pretend it never happened.
Positive ad libs get a better response. At work, positive humor works
best.
Beloved comedian Lucille Ball once said, “I’m not funny.
What I am is brave.” So be brave! In building your HQ, you’ll become
less stressed, a more creative thinker, someone other people enjoy working with.
Take your work seriously but yourself lightly. PE
