Humour in leadership is probably the one aspect of leadership you never, ever think about unless it’s presented to you.
Leadership and humour are indeed a powerful combination. Humour in leadership doesn't just lighten the mood; it strengthens relationships, builds trust, and fosters a positive culture. When a leader is willing to laugh, share light moments, and show vulnerability, it humanizes them, making them more approachable and relatable. The idea of creating goal-free interactions is key — these moments aren’t about hitting targets or achieving anything, they’re about connecting on a human level, letting down the guard, and enjoying each other's company.
Here are a few ways this might look in practice:
1. Casual, Low-Stress Interactions
- Lunch or Coffee Breaks: Regularly schedule informal team lunches, coffee breaks, or snack sessions where you don’t talk shop. Just let the conversation flow naturally. This allows team members to see you as a person, not just as a leader.
- Walk-and-Talk Meetings: Instead of the traditional boardroom setup, try walking meetings, especially when the weather’s nice. These are a great way to get away from the desk and have a relaxed, conversation-driven exchange.
- Inside Jokes or Light Teasing: This can be a great bonding tool, provided it’s inclusive and respectful. Shared laughter over small team quirks or funny situations (like those occasional technical glitches) creates a sense of camaraderie.
- Celebrate Mistakes: When things go wrong, instead of focusing on the negatives, use humor to frame the situation. Laughing at mistakes together makes it easier for your team to feel like they can learn from them rather than fear them.
- Celebrating the Small Wins: A team can laugh over small, seemingly insignificant victories, which helps them build a culture of positivity. For example, joking about hitting an easy target or handling a minor challenge with humor can lighten the mood.
3. Foster a Relaxed Environment
- Team Outings or Events: Plan activities like a team-building game, trivia nights, or even just a silly competition to encourage bonding. Events that aren’t about work allow everyone to let their hair down and enjoy each other's personalities.
- "No Agenda" Time: Intentionally set aside time when you don’t talk about projects or deadlines. Whether it's a five-minute chat or a full hour, the focus is simply to engage and laugh. This could be a fun ice-breaker session at the start of a meeting or an impromptu celebration.
4. Lead by Example with Lightheartedness
- Self-Deprecating Humour: When you make a mistake, don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself. This shows vulnerability and makes you more approachable. You don’t have to be perfect, and it’s okay to admit when you don’t have all the answers — in fact, it’s often more relatable to your team.
- Creating Fun Challenges: Throw in a quirky challenge, like who can come up with the silliest virtual background for a meeting, or who can tell the funniest joke of the week. This can turn any ordinary day into an opportunity for laughter.
5. Harness the Power of Humour to Boost Morale
- As you mentioned, laughter lowers stress levels, increases circulation, boosts mood, and even aids in digestion — all things that help to keep the team feeling healthy and positive. But laughter also has more subtle impacts:
- Reduces Work-Related Anxiety: A funny comment or light-hearted moment can help people shake off the stress of the day.
- Strengthens Resilience: Humour helps people bounce back from setbacks more quickly, as it creates a mindset that challenges aren’t permanent but temporary hurdles.
6. Support Team Members' Personal Growth through Humour
- Humour can also help develop soft skills. Through playful interactions, you can encourage team members to think outside the box, improve problem-solving, or enhance their communication. For example, a team exercise where everyone explains a complex project in the silliest way possible can unlock creative approaches.
7. Use Humour to Navigate Difficult Situations
- When tensions rise or things are tense in a meeting, a well-timed, light-hearted comment can help break the ice. Humour diffuses difficult moments, but it’s crucial to gauge the situation to make sure it’s appropriate.
8. Encourage Humour in Daily Communication
- Encourage a culture where it’s okay to share a funny meme or a light-hearted comment in team chats or emails. It’s these small touches of humour that keep the atmosphere light, even when the work is serious.
The benefits mentioned from the Mayo Clinic research — like laughter improving circulation, reducing muscle tension, and boosting immunity — show that humour is more than just a feel-good tool; it’s a powerful, stress-relieving practice with tangible health benefits for both leaders and staff.
Leadership is not only about directing and achieving but about creating an environment where people feel comfortable, valued, and energized. Humour is a great tool to accomplish that. If your team can laugh with you, they'll likely be more engaged, more resilient, and more motivated to do their best work — because laughter creates bonds that no amount of strategy alone can form.
Humour helps us see things from a new perspective. You still don’t believe me?
Leadership Tip: A picture is worth a thousand words.
A sense of humour is the part of the art of the leadership, of getting along with the people, and getting the things done.
