People often say to me, sure laughter is nice, but why are you such a zealot? I decided to organize some of my reasons here! Feel free to reach out to me with any comments or questions @danikleinmodisett.
1. Employee Engagement - Not just a catch phrase. It really matters that people are not "phoning it in,” as we performers say, at work. As reported in the NY Times, Improv exercises are highly effective for getting people present and talking with each other.
2. Leading with Laughter - Despite what some feel about the reticence of having a sense of humor at work, studies show that leaders with a sense of humor are 27% more respected. Responsible humor, which sounds less funny than it is, is very effective for leaders and non-leaders. This is my affiliative humor stump speech again! Aggressive humor is not helpful when you want people to feel seen, heard and safe. Or as I like to say, no Dave Chapelle jokes.
3. Boosting Morale Works - There are setbacks and challenges in all businesses, and relationships for that matter. The wonderful result of introducing comic relief is that the act of laughing itself releases feel good hormones that help with morale. And laughing is contagious, as noted in this article in the Washington Post. So you can start the ball rolling and it will have positive rippling effects. Another little known fact about laughing is that you can fake laugh and still have the same positive effects on your mind and body. Ho ho hee hee ha ha. If you do this right now and fully commit, it will change your spirit. Plus you will actually start laughing because it’s just so silly!
4. Laughter Fosters Inclusion - This word is very loaded right now, understandably. The good news is that studies prove that one of the most significant and relevant by-products of laughter is that when people laugh together they feel a sense of belonging. Laughter creates trust. When people feel trust, they feel connected. When people feel connected they feel included. It’s the transitive property in action! If laughter creates trust, and trust creates inclusion, then laughter creates inclusion. Simple math, but true.
5. The Human Condition is Funny - No matter where you sit politically, it is a contentious time for most. Creating laughter that focuses on the human condition, rather than heated events in the news, is an attainable goal. At Laughter On Call this is what we do best. We bring levity into a room that even the most cynical can appreciate. And then we teach you how to do the same.
