Humor, Seriously: Why Humor Is a Secret Weapon in Business and Life (and How Anyone Can Harness It. Even You.)

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Anyone can learn to harness the power of humor in business and life, inspired by a popular class at Stanford's Graduate School of Business. While many intuitively recognize humor's potential, few know how to use it intentionally, leading to its underutilization in workplaces. This lack of humor affects performance, relationships, and health, contributing to what is humorously termed "resting boss face." Research indicates that humor is a powerful tool for achieving serious goals; 98 percent of top executives prefer employees with a sense of humor, believing they perform better. Humor enhances our competence and confidence, strengthens relationships, sparks creativity, and boosts resilience in tough times. Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas teach the course Humor: Serious Business, helping driven professionals integrate levity into their organizations. In their work, they combine behavioral science findings, insights from comedians, and stories from business leaders to explain how humor functions and how to effectively utilize it. They explore what makes things funny, how to find material from life, and how to craft jokes. They also discuss using humor for strong first impressions, delivering tough feedback, and fostering creative cultures while navigating humor's gray areas. President Eisenhower believed humor was essential for leadership, suggesting its value in achieving goals.