Stand-Up Leadership: The Highs & Lows of Humour in the Workplace

I have had the good fortune to work in a number of industries over the years and I fully believe that humour is what makes the world go around and is wonderful for mental health and well-being. However, that being said, it’s so important that the humour is appropriate and relevant.

I spent more than 20 years in the Irish comedy scene where I would perform stand-up and promote and MC my own comedy clubs working with some of the country’s best loved comedians.

It was in this world that I learnt the following things;

The Importance of Authenticity:

Stand-up comedians thrive on being genuine. They share personal stories, embrace their flaws, and connect with their audience on a human level. Leaders can learn from this approach by being authentic, showing vulnerability, and building trust with their teams.

The Power of Storytelling:

Comedians are master storytellers. They know how to craft a narrative that engages, entertains, and delivers a message. Leaders can use storytelling as a powerful tool to inspire, convey vision, and make complex ideas more relatable and memorable.

Adaptability and Improvisation:

Stand-up requires the ability to read the room and adapt on the fly, often improvising based on audience reaction. Similarly, effective leaders must be flexible, able to adjust strategies as needed, and capable of thinking on their feet to address unexpected challenges.

Timing and Pace:

In comedy, timing is everything. Knowing when to deliver a punchline or pause for effect can make a big difference. Leaders can apply this lesson by knowing when to push forward with initiatives, when to take a step back, and how to pace the rollout of new ideas or changes.

Dealing with Failure:

Comedians often bomb on stage but learn to use these experiences as opportunities for growth. Failure is an integral part of the creative process and leads to improvement. Leaders should foster a culture where failure is seen as a stepping stone to innovation, encouraging their teams to take risks and learn from mistakes.

Engagement and Connection:

Stand-up comedians excel at engaging their audience and creating a connection within minutes. Leaders should strive to similarly engage their team members, ensuring they feel heard, valued, and connected to the mission and goals of the organization.

Simplicity and Clarity:

Good comedians can take complex ideas and make them simple and relatable. Leaders should aim to communicate clearly and concisely, avoiding jargon and ensuring that messages are easily understood by all team members.

Resilience and Persistence:

The path to becoming a successful comedian is filled with rejection and setbacks. This resilience is crucial for leaders too, as they navigate the ups and downs of managing a team or running a business, maintaining their commitment and motivation through challenging times.

It wasn’t all plain sailing for me however, as I mentioned before, I had to learn these things, and unlike leading a team in a business, an audience’s reaction is instant and quite often brutal. In business, sometimes your team will just laugh at your jokes because of the position you’re in, and feedback is not usually as forthcoming as it would be on the stage. I was able to learn from the audience’s feedback and make instant changes which helped me become better. Years ago, whilst I learnt my leadership stripes, feedback was a lot more instant and brutal, and sometimes these ‘brutal’ leaders didn’t realise they were helping you with their criticism, and at the time, I probably didn’t think they were either…but they were. And in my opinion, it was easier to learn – today, there is a lot more hesitance to provide good quality constructive feedback, thus making the learning process more drawn out and potentially more detrimental for upcoming leaders.

Real-Life Story

I remember doing a stand-up gig in Dublin city centre in 2003 whilst the Special Olympics was being hosted in the city. I had thought of what I believed to be a relatively innocent joke that was relevant to the Special Olympics, which I won’t bore you with, and I was planning to tell it on the stage that night. Prior to the show, myself and two other acts who were performing that night were having a chat and I told them this joke. They both found it hilarious and suggested I ‘definitely’ use it in the show.

One of these comedians is a very well-known Irish comedian whom I’m sure you’d all know – I won’t mention his name, but if you’re reading this, you know who you are – well, to cut a long story short, I was having a great connection with the audience, they were enjoying my set and after about 10 minutes I tried the joke, it bombed, and the audience booed me off stage. After the show we went for a drink in a local bar and this comedian said to me,

“Yeah, you know what, probably not the best time to use that joke – in a year’s time it’ll be a lot funnier”,

and he laughed so hard – thanks mate!!

But I learnt about timing and relevance, being sensitive, knowing your audience, and a lot more. Also, I learnt never to trust a comedian’s advice, as to this day I think he was pranking me to see what would happen. As I have watched this particular comedian scale the heights of international stardom over the years, I’ve never seen him tell a joke like that – lesson learnt.

Using Humour as a Leader

Using humour as a leader can be a double-edged sword, offering several advantages but also posing some risks.

Here's a breakdown of the pros and cons:

Advantages

Enhances Connectivity:

Humour can break down barriers between leaders and their teams, fostering a sense of camaraderie and connection. It makes leaders appear more approachable and human, which can encourage open communication.

Boosts Morale:

Humour is a powerful tool for uplifting spirits and enhancing team morale, especially during stressful times. A well-timed joke can diffuse tension, lighten the mood, and create a more enjoyable work environment.

Improves Health and Well-being:

Laughter and humour are known to have health benefits, including stress reduction and an improved immune system. Leaders who use humour can contribute to a healthier workplace.

Enhances Creativity and Problem-solving:

Humour can stimulate creative thinking by encouraging a relaxed and open-minded perspective. Teams that laugh together may find it easier to think outside the box and solve problems more effectively.

Facilitates Change and Resilience:

Humour can help people cope with change and adversity by providing a more optimistic perspective on challenges. It can be a tool for resilience, helping teams navigate through uncertainties with a positive attitude.

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Disadvantages

Risk of Misinterpretation:

Humour is subjective, and what is funny to one person may be offensive to another. Misunderstandings can occur, especially in diverse workplaces where cultural differences influence what is considered humorous.

Undermining Authority and Credibility:

If overused or inappropriately timed, humour can undermine a leader's authority and credibility. It's important for leaders to strike a balance and ensure their humour is not perceived as trivializing serious issues or concerns.

Exclusion and Alienation:

Certain types of humour, such as inside jokes or humour targeting specific groups, can alienate and exclude members of the team. This can lead to feelings of resentment and division within the team.

Distraction from Serious Issues:

Relying too heavily on humour can sometimes distract from important issues that need to be addressed seriously. Leaders must ensure that their use of humour does not evade accountability or the need for direct action.

Overdependence:

An overreliance on humour can become a crutch for leaders, potentially preventing them from developing other crucial leadership skills such as empathy, emotional intelligence, and effective communication.

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In summary, while humour can be a powerful tool for leaders, it requires careful consideration and balance. Understanding the team's dynamics, cultural backgrounds, and the context in which humour is used are crucial factors in harnessing it's benefits while minimizing it's risks.