How can humor help you build rapport and trust with your contacts?

1 Know your audience

The first rule of humor is to know who you're talking to and what they find funny. Different cultures, industries, and personalities may have different preferences and sensitivities when it comes to humor. For example, some people may appreciate sarcasm, irony, or self-deprecation, while others may find them rude, negative, or insecure. Some people may enjoy jokes, anecdotes, or memes, while others may prefer witty observations, puns, or wordplay. The key is to do some research and observation before you attempt to use humor with a new contact. Look at their social media profiles, website, or blog to get a sense of their style and tone. Listen to how they talk and what they laugh at during conversations or events. And always err on the side of caution and respect when in doubt.

2 Be relevant and appropriate

The second rule of humor is to make sure it fits the context and purpose of your networking. You don't want to use humor that is irrelevant, inappropriate, or distracting from your main message or goal. For example, you don't want to crack jokes about politics, religion, or personal matters when you're trying to establish a professional relationship. You don't want to use humor that is too obscure, complex, or niche when you're trying to reach a broad or diverse audience. And you don't want to use humor that is too frequent, long, or loud when you're trying to have a meaningful or productive conversation. The best humor is the one that is relevant to the topic, appropriate to the situation, and enhances your communication and connection.

6 Be flexible and adaptable

The sixth and final rule of humor is to be open and willing to learn and improve your humor skills and strategies. You don't want to use humor that is rigid, fixed, or outdated. You don't want to use humor that is stale, boring, or repetitive. And you don't want to use humor that is resistant, defensive, or closed to feedback. The best humor is the one that is flexible, adaptable, and evolving. You want to use humor that is dynamic, diverse, and innovative. You want to use humor that is fresh, fun, and exciting. And you want to use humor that is receptive, responsive, and reflective.

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?