HBR IdeaCast The Kinds of Humor That Help Leaders Build Trust
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Aug 26, 2025 Join comedian, speaker, and author Adam Christing as he reveals how humor can be a powerful tool for leaders. He outlines five types of humor that foster trust and connection without resorting to corny jokes. Christing emphasizes the importance of authenticity in humor and discusses how vulnerable, self-deprecating jokes can sometimes misfire. He also explores the intersection of humor and AI, advocating for genuine human connection in comedic leadership. Discover how to harness laughter to create a vibrant workplace culture!
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Humor Builds Trust Quickly
- Humor is a shortcut to building trust because it humanizes leaders and increases connection.
- Adam Christing argues leaders' credibility improves when people enjoy and relate to their communication.
Find And Use Your 'Laugh Language'
- Identify your laugh language among Surprise, Poke, In-Jokes, Wordplay, and Amplify and use what fits you.
- Avoid sarcasm and lean into self-effacing or shared-experience humor for workplace safety.
Laughter Diffuses Conflict
- Laughter releases endorphins and diffuses conflict, increasing cohesion.
- Adam cites research showing shared laughter makes it harder to stay angry with coworkers.
