This episode is a collaboration with the Laughbox Podcast (sponsored by the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor).
Key Takeaways:
- Why and What is Lead with Levity
- Benefits of humor at work and for your life
- Ways to not taking yourself so seriously
- Understanding how humor works
- A comedian’s perspective on when it is appropriate to use humor
- How a little humor can improve your meeting discussions
- Humor can heal or can hurt
- How to find what brings you joy
- Lifting your mood through the Power of Music
- How to use humor to break through social barriers
- Discussing “The Gift of Limits”
Humor in the Workplace: A Powerful Tool
Both Katie and Jim Bob emphasize the role humor plays in creating cohesive, productive teams. Here are some key takeaways from their conversation:
- Breaking Barriers with Laughter:
- Jim Bob’s experiences as a wastewater engineer taught him that humor can ease tensions, even during audits. Humor fosters camaraderie, turning adversarial relationships into collaborative ones.
- Reading the Room:
- Katie highlights the importance of following the lead of others, especially in sensitive situations. Whether clowning for terminally ill children or veterans, she tailors her approach to meet their emotional needs.
- The Gift of Limits:
- Setting boundaries for humor can make it more effective. “If humor has to be clean, it forces you to be more creative within that framework,” says Jim Bob. Boundaries provide a sandbox where everyone can safely play.
- Joy as a Tool for Resilience:
- Katie shares a poignant story about bringing joy to a 99-year-old Air Force pilot through clowning. This touching moment illustrates how levity can create profound connections, even in challenging circumstances.
Creating Safety for Humor
Building psychological safety is essential for incorporating humor into professional environments. Some strategies include:
- Start Small: Use simple, lighthearted gestures to gauge the room’s receptiveness.
- Set Ground Rules: Establish clear boundaries to ensure humor remains inclusive and respectful.
- Follow the Leader: Let others’ reactions guide the tone and direction of humor.
Dr. Walker notes, “When people laugh together, it breaks down barriers and fosters vulnerability.”
Levity’s Role in Cultural Diversity
Katie underscores the importance of respecting diverse cultural backgrounds. Humor isn’t universal, and what’s funny to one person might not translate to another. Observing, listening, and testing small jokes can help navigate cultural differences.
Practical Tips for Bringing Levity to Your Day
Dr. Walker offers a simple exercise to spark joy:
- Find Your One Thing: Identify a comedian, playlist, or activity that consistently makes you laugh and incorporate it into your daily routine.
- Start a Humor Ritual: Whether it’s listening to comedy on a walk or sharing a joke with coworkers, these small moments can transform your day.
- Take the Quiz: Visit Lead with Levity’s website to assess how your workplace scores on 17 key indicators of levity.
The episode concludes with a reminder that humor is a skill, much like any other. It requires practice, reflection, and adaptability. Dr. Walker encourages listeners to “start small, stay curious, and explore what brings you joy.”
Whether you’re leading a team or navigating your own journey, levity can make the path a little brighter.
About the Guests
Katy Bee McGlynn is a Joy and Play Coach and is the founder of the Joy First Foundation. She is also the co-host of the AATH Laughbox Podcast.
Jim-Bob Williams is a Therapeutic Humorist, a recovering engineer, owner and Executive Humor Adviser at Jimusho LLC, and co-host of the AATH Laughbox Podcast.
