How can humor and storytelling improve your executive presence?

1 Why humor matters

Humor is a sign of emotional intelligence, creativity, and resilience. It can help you connect with your audience, reduce stress, and diffuse tension. Humor can also make you more memorable, persuasive, and likable. However, humor can also backfire if it is inappropriate, offensive, or overused. To use humor effectively, you need to know your audience, your purpose, and your style. You also need to balance humor with seriousness, and avoid jokes that are self-deprecating, sarcastic, or cynical.

2 How to tell stories

Stories are a powerful way to communicate your vision, values, and achievements. Stories can also help you build trust, empathy, and rapport with your listeners. Stories can engage their emotions, spark their curiosity, and motivate them to action. To tell stories effectively, you need to have a clear structure, a compelling message, and a relevant context. You also need to use vivid language, sensory details, and expressive delivery. You also need to practice your stories, and adapt them to different situations and audiences.

3 When to use humor and storytelling

Humor and storytelling can be used in various contexts and situations, such as presentations, meetings, negotiations, interviews, networking, and feedback. However, you need to be aware of the timing, the tone, and the appropriateness of your humor and storytelling. For example, you should not use humor or storytelling when you are delivering bad news, dealing with a crisis, or addressing a sensitive issue. You should also avoid using humor or storytelling that is irrelevant, distracting, or disrespectful.

4 How to develop your humor and storytelling skills

Humor and storytelling are skills that can be learned and improved with practice and feedback. You can develop your humor and storytelling skills by observing and learning from other successful leaders, mentors, and speakers. You can also read books, watch videos, and listen to podcasts on humor and storytelling. You can also join clubs, groups, or courses that offer opportunities to practice and improve your humor and storytelling skills. You can also seek feedback from your peers, colleagues, or coaches on your humor and storytelling performance.

5 How to measure your humor and storytelling impact

Humor and storytelling can have a positive impact on your executive presence, but how do you know if they are working? You can measure your humor and storytelling impact by using various methods and indicators, such as surveys, ratings, comments, testimonials, referrals, and results. You can also use self-assessment tools, such as journals, recordings, or checklists, to reflect on your humor and storytelling strengths and areas for improvement. You can also set goals and track your progress on your humor and storytelling skills.

6 How to overcome your humor and storytelling challenges

Humor and storytelling can be challenging for some leaders, especially if they are not comfortable, confident, or experienced with them. However, you can overcome your humor and storytelling challenges by adopting a positive mindset, a growth mindset, and a learner mindset. You can also overcome your humor and storytelling challenges by seeking support, guidance, and inspiration from others who have mastered these skills. You can also overcome your humor and storytelling challenges by taking risks, making mistakes, and learning from them.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?