Unlock the Power of Laughter: How Humor Elevates Your Speaking Game

In the world of speaking, humor stands as a beacon of connection, a bridge between the speaker and the audience that transforms the mundane into the memorable. The question often arises for those embarking on the path of professional speaking: "Do you have to be funny?" The answer, laced with wit, is, “only if you want to get paid.” Although humor isn’t actually mandatory, it is a golden ticket if you wish to leave an indelible mark on your audience.

“When you have laughed with someone… you tend to feel a bond with that person”[1]

The art of using humor in a speech transcends the mere act of telling jokes. Jokes, with their setup and punchline, seek to provoke laughter in isolation from the core message. In contrast, humor is interwoven throughout the fabric of your presentation, enhancing the tapestry with light-hearted remarks, anecdotes, or observations that resonate with the theme. This subtle integration serves to engage, relate, and soften, without veering off course.

Imagine sharing a laugh over the antics of your kids, your dog, or the quirky bumper sticker that caught your eye. These moments of joy stem from the unpredictable —yet not nonsensical—relatable slices of life that draw laughter. Humor, in this sense, is a universal language, a natural attractor that binds us in a shared experience.

“First you must entertain, then get your point across.”[2]

Why use humor? The reasons are plentiful. Humor not only enriches your presentation but also draws people to you, offering a momentary respite that enhances the overall experience. After delving into serious subjects, for example, humor provides a light-hearted reprieve, ensuring you don’t leave the audience in a somber state. This strategy ensures that after the laughter, the stage is set for deeper learning. As the audience relaxes, their receptivity increases, laying fertile ground for your message to take root.

“After the laughter, the learning begins.”[3]

Furthermore, humor serves as a tool to diffuse tension, elevate your stature, and underscore your confidence and relatability. It's also a litmus test for audience engagement, an indicator of whether your words are landing or falling flat. When laughter fills the room, a connection is sparked, strengthening the bond between you and your listeners.

However, humor demands discernment. It should align with your topic, avoiding the pitfalls of sarcasm, cruelty, or irrelevance. The challenge is not to transform into a comedian, but to incorporate genuine, relatable humor drawn from the fabric of everyday life. Everyone has a "humor file" filled with amusing observations and experiences — these are the gems to polish and present.

Self-deprecation, when wielded with care, can endear you to your audience without compromising your credibility. Yet, tread lightly, for humor's appeal can vary across cultures and contexts. The best humor is inclusive and respectful to diverse audiences. Knowing your audience is key, as is the choice between a humorous anecdote and a well-placed quote or image.

"Humor can be dissected, as a frog can, but the thing dies in the process."[4]

To ensure your humor indeed hits its intended mark, it's essential to test it out on smaller groups or with trusted colleagues before the main event.

In wrapping everything up with a flourish, consider this: while comedians devote themselves to the quest for laughter, your aim is to employ humor as a strategic tool, enhancing your presentation and deepening the bond with your audience. The true value of humor in your presentation doesn't rest on simply drawing out laughter, but rather on crafting a collective experience that echoes, connects, and lingers in the audience’s memory well beyond the final round of applause.

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Would you like to know more? We delve much deeper on this subject in my forthcoming book, “Influence Amplified: Executive Presence & Strategic Storytelling.” You’re also welcome to comment on LinkedIn or reply to this email. Who else needs to hear this? Please share.

Bob Roitblat is a Chicago-based business transformation consultant, author, and international keynote speaker. For further advice, insight, and perspective on the tools and techniques to transform your executive presence, subscribe to this newsletter on LinkedIn https://www.dhirubhai.net/newsletters/7124178677793247232

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[1] Claudia E. Cornett, Learning Through Laughter: Humor in the Classroom, Phi Delta Kappa Educational Foundation, 1986, pg. 11

[2] Rod Steiger, American actor. April 14, 1925 to July 9, 2002.

[3] Many authors have expressed a similar idea, though the original source cannot be determined.

[4] Anthology edited by E. B. White and Katharine White.?A Subtreasury of American Humor.?United States:?Coward-McCann, Incorporated,?1941. Page XVII.