Can humor actually improve your job performance — or does it just get you in trouble? If you've ever held back a joke at work or felt unsure about whether humor is “professional,” this episode is for you. We dive into the surprisingly powerful role laughter plays in workplace communication, stress relief, and building trust — and how the wrong type of humor can backfire fast. Discover the key differences between helpful humor and harmful humor in professional settings. Learn how laughter directly impacts brain function, creativity, and perseverance under pressure. And hear real-world examples of how (and how not) to use humor with coworkers, clients, and teams Press play now to learn how to harness the power of laughter without crossing the line — and start building stronger, healthier workplace relationships.
Can humor actually improve your job performance — or does it just get you in trouble?
If you've ever held back a joke at work or felt unsure about whether humor is “professional,” this episode is for you. We dive into the surprisingly powerful role laughter plays in workplace communication, stress relief, and building trust — and how the wrong type of humor can backfire fast.
Discover the key differences between helpful humor and harmful humor in professional settings. Learn how laughter directly impacts brain function, creativity, and perseverance under pressure. And hear real-world examples of how (and how not) to use humor with coworkers, clients, and teams
Press play now to learn how to harness the power of laughter without crossing the line — and start building stronger, healthier workplace relationships.
Benefits of Laughter (00:00:38)
Kim discusses how laughter enhances interpersonal communication and job performance.
Anecdote about Humor (00:01:16)
Kim shares a story about a humorous interaction at a home show that led to a business connection.
Impact on Creativity (00:03:04)
Laughter is shown to improve creativity and learning, as studies indicate.
Leadership and Humor (00:03:39)
Using humor effectively can enhance leadership perception and employee relationships.
Caution with Humor (00:04:30)
Barry recounts his experience with humor in leadership and the need for caution.
Increased Sensitivity to Humor (00:06:39)
Kim notes that people are more sensitive to humor, making it important to be cautious.
Types of Humor in the Workplace (00:07:49)
Different humor types, like sarcasm, can be risky in professional settings.
Golfing and Humor (00:08:28)
Barry shares his experience with sarcastic humor while golfing with friends.
Understanding Humor Sensitivity (00:09:31)
Kim emphasizes the importance of knowing what humor is appropriate in various situations.
Effective Team Communication (00:11:18)
Barry discusses using humor to bond with teammates over shared challenges.
Risks of Humor (00:12:15)
Kim highlights the potential risks of humor and how it can offend others.
Navigating Humor Offense (00:14:11)
Barry asks about strategies to avoid offending others with humor in presentations.
Improving Humor Sensitivity (00:15:27)
Kim suggests being mindful of sensitive topics and seeking feedback on humor.
Understanding Humor's Intent (00:16:24)
Discussion on the intention behind humor and the importance of uplifting versus putting down.
Navigating Cultural Sensitivity (00:17:25)
A reminder to be cautious with humor that may offend cultural sensitivities.
Feedback on Icebreakers (00:18:39)
Barry shares an experience about receiving feedback on his icebreaker question's potential to alienate.
The Importance of Delivery (00:20:01)
Emphasizing the need for an open-hearted approach when asking personal questions.
Handling Offense in Communication (00:21:29)
Strategies for providing constructive feedback when someone’s humor doesn’t land well.
Approaching Sensitive Topics (00:22:37)
Advice on how to address potentially offensive jokes with empathy and awareness.
Teasing and Its Risks (00:23:52)
Discussion on the appropriateness of teasing in workplace dynamics and understanding context.
Reading the Room (00:27:08)
The necessity of gauging humor's reception based on familiarity with the audience.
Building Connections Through Humor (00:29:55)
Strategies for using humor to foster positive relationships with clients.
Cautious Humor in Client Interactions (00:32:11)
Advice against negative humor and teasing when engaging with new clients.
Avoiding Political Humor (00:32:22)
A strong recommendation to steer clear of political humor to avoid alienating audiences.
The Value of Light Humor (00:33:31)
Encouragement to use light humor, like dad jokes, as an icebreaker in meetings.
Here are the extracted timestamps and their corresponding titles from the podcast episode transcription segment:
The Power of Interaction (00:33:56)
Discusses how even negative reactions can still be positive interactions.
Health Benefits of Humor (00:34:04)
Explores the impact of humor on health, well-being, and stress reduction.
Personal Journey to Laughter Leadership (00:34:20)
Kim shares her experience with therapeutic laughter during a health challenge.
Therapeutic Laughter and Play (00:35:31)
Describes laughter yoga and the benefits of playful interactions without competition.
Laughter's Impact on Caregivers (00:36:32)
Highlights how laughter energizes and uplifts caregivers during serious discussions.
The Idea of Not Keeping Score (00:37:15)
Barry reflects on the stress of competitive games and the joy of playful interactions.
Radical Idea of Play (00:40:29)
Kim discusses the transformative nature of playing games without keeping score.
Creating a Laughter List (00:42:26)
Kim introduces her laughter list as a tool for accessing joy during stressful times.
Interactive Laughter Workshops (00:44:19)
Explains the structure and goals of her laughter and stress relief workshops.
Instant Connections Through Laughter (00:46:13)
Describes how laughter fosters immediate connections among participants in workshops.
Silly Jokes and Their Impact (00:46:25)
Barry and Kim share jokes, illustrating the instant mood boost from laughter.