How can you use humor to engage meeting participants?

1 Know your audience

Before you crack a joke, make sure you know who you are talking to and what they expect from the meeting. Different cultures, backgrounds, and personalities may have different preferences and sensitivities when it comes to humor. Avoid topics that are controversial, personal, or inappropriate for the context. Also, consider the tone and purpose of the meeting. Is it formal or informal? Is it a brainstorming session or a status update? Adapt your humor to suit the situation and the mood of the group.

2 Use self-deprecating humor

One of the safest and most effective ways to use humor in meetings is to poke fun at yourself. Self-deprecating humor shows that you are humble, confident, and relatable. It can also help you break the ice, diffuse tension, and invite feedback. For example, you can joke about your own mistakes, weaknesses, or quirks. However, don't go overboard and put yourself down too much. You still want to maintain your credibility and authority as the meeting organizer.

3 Incorporate visuals and props

Another way to add humor to your meetings is to use visuals and props that support your message and catch your participants' attention. For example, you can use funny images, memes, gifs, or videos that illustrate your points or make a contrast. You can also use props such as hats, masks, or toys to create a playful atmosphere or demonstrate a concept. Just make sure that your visuals and props are relevant, clear, and tasteful. Don't use them as a distraction or a filler.

4 Encourage participation and interaction

Humor is not a one-way street. You want to engage your participants and make them feel comfortable and involved in the meeting. You can do this by asking open-ended questions, soliciting feedback, or inviting them to share their own jokes or stories. You can also use games, quizzes, polls, or icebreakers that challenge, reward, or surprise your participants. For example, you can ask them to guess the punchline of a joke, share a fun fact about themselves, or vote on a funny option.

5 Be spontaneous and authentic

Finally, don't force humor or try to be someone you are not. Humor works best when it is natural, genuine, and spontaneous. Don't memorize jokes or scripts that sound rehearsed or scripted. Instead, be alert and responsive to the cues and opportunities that arise during the meeting. For example, you can make a witty remark, a clever analogy, or a humorous observation based on what you see, hear, or feel. You can also laugh at the unexpected or the absurd that may happen in the meeting.

6 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?