It’s a Laughing Matter

Last week I came across a blog that listed 25 ways to become a better leader. I posted it on Twitter, adding a 26th item, “Keep your sense of humor.”

Why don’t companies’ leadership competencies include something like “Maintains a sense of humor” or “Takes the job but not him/herself too seriously”?

When I think about my years in corporate HR and Training, we needed to laugh to stay sane and productive. Yes, we laughed as much at other people as we did ourselves. When you work in Human Resources, you’re never lacking for good material!  People do funny things, and sometimes you just have to laugh.

Google “leadership and humor,” and you’ll find plenty of research that supports the value of incorporating humor in your leadership style. Zappos, one of my favorite companies to study and learn from, openly endorses keeping humor in the workplace. Their core values include “create fun and a little weirdness.” I especially like that Southwest Airlines tells its people to have a “fun-luving attitude” and not take yourself too seriously.

Companies trying to reduce their healthcare costs should promote humor in the workplace. A hearty laugh has many physical benefits. It relieves stress and increases the number of anti-body producing cells, which builds a stronger immune system. Laughing also works your abdominal muscles and gives your heart a boost too.

Leading people is serious work but not so serious that we can’t lighten up from time to time. Find ways to incorporate humor in your life. Smile, giggle, chortle, chuckle, and guffaw. You’ll feel so much better and so will the people around you.

See you ’round the block!

Nancy