Placement of the Month 22

Double deuce.

Makes me think of Stewie Griffin.  What the deuce is going on here?

Family Guy can make me laugh on my worst day. Be aware during this post that a chicken may come charging at me. If so, I am dropping the gloves and it’s on…

With an immature chuckle, how about we explore humor at this edition of the Placement of the Month.

I do not think it is an overstatement that humor gets me through the day and in some ways keeps me in the business. Tend to gravitate towards funny people throughout my life.

Thin line between funny and not funny. Even thinner in a business setting. Socially, you say something, hear crickets, and everyone moves on. No fuss, no muss outside of some mocking. Same guy each time, like he is Will Ferrell.

On a business call, you blurt out a comedic dumpster fire and that could be it for the relationship and/or the deal. For those of you that are sarcastic by nature and have a hard time letting a one liner go by, here is some words to heed. My wife can attest that this is an area where I struggle – mightily. No one was ever mad at you for not making a wisenheimer remark. Let them go from time to time. Less is more with humor. 

With the World Series going on as I type this (c’mon Tribe) an analogy surfaced. Several batters let great pitches go by without swinging. Many times they do it because they want to see what the pitcher is throwing, want to tire him out or they simply were not ready for that particular pitch. Humor is the same thing. Sometimes it is best to get to know the person better or even if you know them well, let the conversation unfold a bit. The other person may have a totally different agenda or mood than you do, Mr. Funny Pants. If there is a one liner to be had, but you miss the window – let it go. Timing in humor is everything. No sense swinging after the ball is in the catcher’s mitt.

This month’s placement was a terrific person who was more interested in focusing on business. They had specific items in mind for their compensation package and were not looking for chit chat. The younger version of me would have tried to lighten the mood with some repartee. The timing was off. It did not feel right so I let it pass. He eventually started making small talk and the conversation became more casual and comfortable. It needed to be on his terms.

I know what you are thinking. “I’m funny. Everyone says I’m funny. In my heart I know I’m funny”

These are the dangerous folks. Ever been at a client meeting or dinner and the Chris Rock wannabe starts with their set? Painful and there is little to do but watch the trains collide.

Small aside. Do not laugh at your own jokes. Only thing worse than someone who tries a bad pun or weak joke. When they howl like a hyena.  Many people have a nervous laugh after a light remark. Dilutes your words. It is a common vocal pause. Think about your conversations as you are reading and ponder this thought “Do I laugh harder at my own jokes than the people who are listening?”  

Put it this way. If you have to explain your joke or clarify that you were only kidding then it was not funny. Simple enough.

Back to the placement. Turns out that he has a good sense of humor. More methodical type and he had an agenda. Once he was able to check the boxes on his list, then he was open to a social conversation.

Go figure. He is funny.

Seriously, practice not being funny.  

Thanks for reading…the Placement of the Month

Matt Kaufman works for the Mullings Group. We provide the most comprehensive services in the medical device recruiting industry. Our team takes a novel approach to partnering with our clients and that has led to 25 years of successful outcomes. Matt has a tendency to laugh at times when it is best to keep it together. Not an altogether terrible quality particularly as he passes it on to his 10 year old son. His wife is thrilled.