Humor is a powerful communication tool. It can gain attention, create rapport, and make ideas more memorable. It can also relieve tension and put things in perspective. In today’s ultra-competitive, high-pressure workplace, a sense of humor is an indispensable tool for success.
Scoring Points With Humor
Your first step in harnessing the power of humor is to use it for a purpose. Irrelevant humor is usually perceived as a distraction and time-waster. Whether you’re speaking to one person or one hundred, humor is more effective if it makes a point.
A good example comes from Robert Clarke, a former U.S. comptroller of the currency. Speaking to the National Council of Savings Institutions, he discussed how regulatory tools could be used to promote a sound banking system.
A friend of mine, an honors graduate of Texas Agricultural and Mechanical University, an “aggie,” spent the first half of the 1980s lusting for a car phone. Finally, he convinced himself that it was a necessity, not a luxury, so he bought one. The day he bought it, he called me from his car to tell me the news. And I didn’t hear from him again for about a month. Finally I saw him on the street and he seemed really down in the dumps. I asked him what was wrong and he said it was the car phone. “What do you mean?” I asked, “You wanted that phone more than anything you ever did.” And he said: “Yeah, but it’s wearing me down having to run to the garage every time it rings.”
Regulations — like telephones — are instruments. They can be used effectively. They can be used adequately. Or they can be misused….
The story is effective because it illustrates a key point — that regulations are merely tools. But note that the story could illustrate other ideas. It would be equally effective for making points about office automation, productivity and training. In fact, the story can be used to illustrate any point to which you can analogize it. The process is only limited by your imagination.
Is it worth taking a few minutes to analogize your humor to a point? Absolutely. The biggest cause of “bombing” is starting a presentation with a joke that has nothing to do with anything.
Here’s why: Relevance reduces resistance. A basic tenet of audience psychology holds that people resist humor if they think you’re trying to be humorous. They put a comedy chip on their shoulders. Think of the last time you saw a comedian stride up to a microphone. Your first thought was probably “You think you’re funny — prove it!”
When humor is used to make a point our reactions are quite different. We recognize that the speaker is using humor primarily to make a point and only secondarily to be funny. We’re more open to accepting the humor. Most important, even if we don’t think it’s funny, the humor still makes a point and moves the presentation forward. The speaker isn’t left in the embarrassing limbo called “bombing.”
Create a Positive Image
Managers, executives and professionals who use humor in presentations with clients and colleagues come across as more approachable. Numerous social science studies verify this effect — a little humor can increase your likeability a lot. And it’s easier to maintain morale and enthusiasm by showing you have a good sense of humor.
This is particularly true of self-effacing humor. Staff workers, as well as clients, are delighted when executives poke fun at themselves. They’re also astounded because it’s such a rare occurrence. That’s why it’s so effective. In a world of big egos, posturing, pompousness and arrogance, poking a little fun at yourself is a competitive advantage. It reflects confidence and security. It also creates rapport with your audience who enjoy learning that you’re not a stuffed shirt.
We would all do well to imitate the example set by the late Fred Hoar. A veteran Silicon Valley advertising and public relations executive, Hoar knows that his name has an unfortunate connotation — particularly when linked with his profession. In order to counter the negative meaning and show his sense of humor, he made fun of the situation. He begins his presentations by saying, “My name is Fred Hoar. That’s spelled F, R, E, D.” His audience was instantly won over.
One caveat: Don’t go overboard with self-effacing humor. If you use it too often or make it too personal, then you will appear neurotic. No one wants to hear you barrage yourself with putdowns about your weight or other physical traits. Your quips should be designed to put people at ease, not to make them uncomfortable.
Anyone Can Use Humor
What if you can’t tell a joke? What if you’re not “naturally” funny? Are you sentenced to life imprisonment in the lawyer stereotype — cold, gray and heartless. Not at all. In fact, you can parole yourself at any time.
You don’t have to be a professional comedian to use humor successfully. If you can’t tell a joke, you can still slip a light remark into a speech or conversation. Fred Hoar’s line about his name is a perfect example. It’s not a joke per se. So it doesn’t require comic delivery. Anyone could deliver that line effectively. (OK, anyone who’s name is Hoar.)
My point is that there’s a big difference between being funny and communicating a sense of humor. No one expects you to be hilarious. And it’s not professionally desirable to emulate Bozo the Clown. Your goal should simply be to show that you possess a sense of humor. It’s a trait that is universally admired.
Start Today
There’s an old joke about a managing partner who hated procrastination. So he hung up a sign that said: “Do It Now.” Within 24 hours, his paralegal quit, his secretary took a vacation, and his junior partner stole the firm’s biggest client.
Despite these risks, I’m going to advise you to “do it now” — start communicating your sense of humor today. Hang a cartoon on your office wall. Tell a joke that makes a point. Start looking for opportunities to institutionalize humor in your workplace.
Make humor a habit. It will make you a more effective professional. And that’s no joke!
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Malcolm Kushner, “America’s Favorite Humor Consultant,” is an internationally acclaimed expert on humor and communication. A co-creator of the humor exhibit at The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Kushner is the author of several books including Public Speaking For Dummies which has sold over 100,000 copies. He has been profiled in Time Magazine, USA Today, The New York Times, The Washington Post and numerous other publications. His television and radio appearances include CNN, National Public Radio, CNBC, “Voice of America” and “The Larry King Show.” Prior to becoming a humor consultant, he practiced law with a major San Francisco law firm. A popular speaker at corporate and association meetings, Kushner is based in Santa Cruz, California. For more information, and lots of humor you can use in your next presentation, check out http://www.museumofhumor.com.
