Humor Potential – Achievement Dynamics Institute

Reaching your Humor Potential

The Healing Power of Humor

Ice Breaker – Can you think of a time when a serious or stressful moment was distressed by humor. (Example– (1) Flight 232, 296 passengers, July 1989, DC-10, hydraulics, (2) T.V. show Mash – power of humor in the extreme pressure of wartime madness.) (3) (Reagan-shot–I’d rather be in Philadelphia.)

A well -timed infusion of comedy can break the tension in a family or business crisis, defuse an ugly scene, or get people going again. It can also be a powerful professional tool.

It’s easy to abandon humor because we grow up in a culture that believes our problems can be beaten only if we get tough enough, work a little harder, and get really serious.

Most overlooked natural resource “our sense of humor”.–Most often what is needed is a fresh, unexpected prospective.–Sense of humor does not necessary mean being funny.–It’s an acquired trait that can be learned, developed and mastered.–The goal is not to be a comedian but to communicate that you have a sense of humor.

More than telling jokes. It’s looking at things from a different angle.

* Perceiving things overlooked

* Flexibility in your thinking

* Creative problem-solving Ex.: (Worst customer story)

* Makes us feel good.

* Breaks down barriers

* Helps unite people

* Opens doors

* Put things into perspective

* Alleviate anxiety

* Builds credibility

* Helps you sell yourself or your product

* Generates good feelings, camaraderie, and trust

Corporate Leaders

In a 1980 survey of 480 chief executive officers (Shrift, 1981), the majority of those corporate leaders felt that a sense of humor was essential to their work. Many of them agreed that they are more inclined to hire qualified job candidates with a sense of humor than more serious candidates who are equally qualified. In addition, those surveyed believed that humor is an essential means of communication and influence.

There is a growing belief on the part of top managers that business can be more enjoyable and productive when humor is a part of daily functioning. Helps work relax, get along better and be more productive. A powerful coping mechanism as a corporate strategy. The goal is for employers to take themselves less seriously while staying serious about their jobs.

Communication Skills

About its role in communication, humor has been described as a “social lubricant.” We tend to be attracted to and to like people who make us laugh.

Presentations

Humor and cheerful presentation of self are frequently perceived as indications that one enjoys relating to others and wishes to communicate good will and intentions.

Humor also can be an aid to communication in a teaching or learning situation. When used effectively, humor can support the understanding and retention of information and can assist in establishing rapport.

Management Style

The use of humor is a mechanism which does not destroy one’s self-image, but provides a way to criticize, show mistakes, express values yet save face for the individual in doing so.

Humor, when used while giving feedback, should not be an alternative to honesty.

Done appropriately, the manager gets results and improves the relationship simultaneously.

Dealing With Anger

There is an interesting and useful relationship between laughter and anger. It is impossible to laugh heartily and to be angry at the same time. No doubt many of us have experienced or observed the use of laughter and humor in alleviating a hostile attitude or in averting a potentially destructive incident.

The use of humor in a conflict situation is a potentially “high-risk/high payoff” intervention. (Ex: TV Repairman)

Lighten Up

Do you know the difference between heaven and earth is? On earth, the most frequently asked question is “Where’s the bathroom?” And the most frequently asked question in heaven is “Why did I take life so seriously?” When you’re lying on your deathbed and you say to your loved ones, “Tell me some stories about our life together,” and the stories make everyone in the room laugh, then you’ve had a good, joyful life. I tell my patients to accumulate these stories so that when it’s time to go, they can go laughing. Laughter is the pulse of life.

Anecdotes: make it easy; honest-real-natural; can establish report.

Reach into your memory for your favorite personal anecdote.

* Most embarrassing experience

* Funniest thing that happen to you or a friend

* Biggest mistake

* Most bizarre thing you ever saw or heard

* Strange dream

* Wildest vacation

* Craziest hobby story

* Funniest thing ever happened at a business meeting

* Story about your relative

* Strangest gift you ever received

* Eating out – bad food

* Something that seems funny now but didn’t when it happened.

Quotes: People we respect, we’re more inclined to laugh at their jokes. (You look smart)

Ex: Will Rodgers

Neil Armstrong

Yogie Barra: Pizza

Ad Libs: are prepared in advance and well-rehearsed.

Jokes: 1. Brief 2. Appropriate 3. Timing & delivery

Appropriate: Stay away from ethnic or religion.

Timing & delivery: The ability to deliver your material confidently with just the right amount of tension and release, and the right measure of waiting for the punchline to hit its mark.

Self-depreciative humor: Poke fun at yourself.

Declining With Anger

The use of humor in a conflict situation is a potentially “high-risk/high payoff” intervention.

Lighten Up

(ARTICLE)

Exercising this choice makes them feel in control. Humor is great medicine.

Physically, and mentally, our entire body is rejuvenated. Did you know that studies show happy people are healthier and tend to live longer?

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