S34 E2: "Humor, Seriously: Why Humor Is a Secret Weapon in Business and Life" by Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas
Sep 26, 2023
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Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas, instructors at Stanford Graduate School of Business, discuss the power of humor in business and life. They explore the positive effects of humor in the workplace, its impact on mental well-being and business performance. They also provide tips to cultivate joy and shift mindset for a happier life.
Incorporating humor in business and life leads to increased respect, competence, and confidence for leaders.
Humor creates closeness, trust, and satisfaction in relationships while improving mental and physical well-being.
Deep dives
Humor as a Transformative Superpower
Humor is an under leveraged asset in both business and life. Leaders who incorporate humor are more respected, competent, and confident. Employees with leaders who have a sense of humor report higher job satisfaction and engagement. Humor also translates to more negotiating power, with customers being more willing to pay after a humorous interaction. Additionally, shared laughter builds closeness and trust, leading to more satisfying relationships.
The Benefits of Humor on Mental and Physical Health
Humor releases chemicals in the brain that make us feel more calm, confident, and resourceful. It also increases perceived influence, likability, and trustworthiness. A sense of humor improves resilience, with studies showing that people with a sense of humor have a better chance of survival and live longer. Laughter is a powerful tool for bonding and building relationships, as it creates feelings of intimacy and satisfaction. Overall, humor has significant positive effects on mental and physical well-being.
Climbing Back Up the Humor Cliff
As we age, we tend to lose our sense of humor. However, we can regain it by using techniques from comedians. By observing and noting simple daily observations, using the rule of three, and finding our authentic humor style, we can bring more humor into our lives and workplaces. Humor is not about being funny, but about cultivating joy and shifting our mindset. Just like a muscle, our sense of humor can be strengthened through practice and embracing our unique style.
Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas teach the popular course "Humor: Serious Business" at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where they help some of the world’s most hard-driving, blazer-wearing business minds infuse more humor and levity into their work and lives. In "Humor, Seriously," they draw on findings by behavioral scientists, world-class comedians, and inspiring business leaders to reveal how humor works and—more importantly—how you can use more of it, better.
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