Why great leaders take humour seriously

Understand the role of humour in your success because even in the most difficult of times, a smile or a laugh goes a long way toward making everyone feel better. By Peter Hughes.

Heard this one before? Van produced vegetables on a small plot near town. Someone told the Labour Department that he was not paying minimum wages and despatched an inspector to check on him.

“I need a list of your employees and their wages,” demanded the inspector.

“Well,” replied Van. “There are only three of us. Jacob works in the field, has been with me for three years, and I pay him R2 000 a week. Doris is in the packhouse. She’s s been here 18 months, earning R1 500 a week. They both receive free room and board.

“Finally, there’s the half-wit who works 12 hours a day, making R250 a week, paying for his own room and board, and I buy him a dozen beers every Saturday night.”

“Ah, that’s the guy I want to talk to, the half-wit,” said the inspector.

“That would be me,” replied Van.

MORE IMPORTANT THAN THEORY

Management fads come and go but the power of humour never dies. I’ve shared this joke many times, and even if it’s been heard before, it always raises a smile.

In my quest to become a better manager, one of the first ‘fad’ seminars I attended was Quality Circles.

This was the revolutionary idea (at that time) of getting small groups of employees working together to improve business processes.

Following this there were many more: Theory X and Y, One Minute Manager, Right-Sizing, and Six Sigma, to name just a few.

While they all offer value, the inescapable truth is that your personal behaviour will influence your success more than anything else. The words and tone you use, your body language, your empathy, compassion and other characteristics are much more important to your managerial success than any management technique.

LAUGHTER, THE BEST MEDICINE

A crucial characteristic required to deepen personal relationships and influence, is your sense of humour. Thinking about the co-workers and bosses I had over the years, those who influenced me most were all individuals who got me and others smiling. Of course, they had other important characteristics, but underpinning all of these was the fact that they never took themselves too seriously.

Laughter, it’s been said, is the shortest distance between two people. It’s contagious and draws others into your circle. When we laugh together it connects us, lightens burdens, inspires hope, and helps us retain perspective and stay alert. It leads to a more positive, optimistic outlook, and heals resentments and disagreements.

Laughter is an antidote to stress, pain, and conflict. It makes you feel good, and this feeling stays with you long after the laughter subsides. Even in the most difficult of times, a smile or a laugh goes a long way toward making you feel better.

Some persons are lucky enough to have been born with a good sense of humour.

Others aren’t, but that’s okay because it’s possible to develop a sense of humour. Here are some ideas on how:

The number one enemy of humour is taking yourself too seriously. There’s humour in most things. Look for it: the irony and absurdity of life. Some events don’t appear to be occasions for laughter, but most give you the choice to laugh.

SHARE YOUR GAFFS

The best way to take yourself less seriously is to share your most embarrassing moments freely. It’s the safest way to introduce humour if you’re not so good at it. It’s amazing how it helps build rapport and trust.

Become less defensive and more spontaneous.

I once had a boss, wonderful in many ways, but he kept his personal cards close to his chest. In the affairs of business this was fine, but on a personal level it limited my relationship with him and his influence.

Smiling is the beginning of laughter, and it’s contagious. When you look at someone or see something even mildly pleasing, smile.

Spend time with fun, playful people who laugh easily, both at themselves and at life’s absurdities, and who routinely find the humour in everyday events. Learn from them.

Treat humour as a necessity. Understand its importance and the role it plays in making you a more successful person.

If your closest friends say you’re taking life too seriously, dig out this column and read it again.

YOUR WORDS AND TONE, YOUR BODY LANGUAGE, ARE VITAL TO YOUR MANAGERIAL SUCCESS