In a world jam-packed with strategies, frameworks, and performance metrics, there’s one thing people are craving more than ever: human connection
We all want to feel seen, heard, and valued. And what’s the fastest (and most fun) way to create that connection? Humour.
When we laugh, our guard drops. Laughter reduces cortisol (our stress hormone) and boosts dopamine (our feel-good neurotransmitter), and according to research, humour in the workplace enhances performance and wellbeing. In fact, nothing cuts through stress faster than laughter – making us more open, engaged, and receptive.
What makes humour so powerful is that it’s universal. Across cultures, laughter means the same thing. We don't need to speak the same language to share the same joy. Humour unifies, and great leaders understand this.
Why laughter works in leadership
In my public speaking workshops, humour is intentional and strategic. Most people are afraid of public speaking. Their inner critic gets loud, their body tightens, and everything locks up. Laughter interrupts that pattern. It disarms our anxiety. That’s why I share some personal disasters first – it builds instant trust. I don’t lead saying: “I’m the expert.” I lead saying: “I’ve been where you are right now. And I’ve failed, repeatedly. But guess what? I survived, and now I’m here to share those lessons with you.”
As a leader, you set the emotional tone; not just of a meeting, but of what’s possible. Just because a topic is serious, it doesn’t mean you need to be. Lightness creates breathing space for creativity, clarity, and new solutions.
Using humour at work
Remember, humour at work isn't stand-up comedy. Unless Jerry Seinfeld or Larry David wander into your meeting, you're not aiming for ROFL laughter. You're looking for a smile, relaxed shoulders, a shared breath, that lightness in someone's eyes... When people know they’ll enjoy the moment – and that they won’t be totally bored to death – they engage more, contribute more, and trust more.
A few simple guidelines:
- Gentle self-deprecation is safe. When you’re the subject of your own joke, you’re not putting anyone else down. That builds cohesion, not tension.
- Use observational humour. Point out a shared reality everyone can see. Jerry Seinfeld mastered finding humour in everyday moments.
- Acknowledge the awkward. If something’s captured everyone’s attention, name it lightly. Calling out the moment brings people back into the present, together.
- Never put others down. Sarcasm or humour at someone else’s expense kills trust.
- If in doubt, leave it out. If you’re wondering whether something might offend, skip it. Your instinct is usually right.
The power of saying what everyone's thinking
As a public speaker, when a joke doesn’t land on stage, I call it out. The awkwardness dissolves and trust deepens. The same applies in meetings. If you mispronounce something, your slides fail, or your mind goes blank, acknowledge it and move on. You’ll often get more connection from your honesty than from what you originally planned. That’s not weakness; that’s adaptability.
In a world drowning in corporate-speak and curated online personas, genuine humour is a competitive advantage. It cuts through the noise, makes you memorable, and turns leadership into something people actually want to follow. When we can laugh at our own humanity, we give everyone else permission to be human too. In a world that takes itself far too seriously, the leaders who laugh – and help others laugh – will always stand out.
Jordana Borensztajn is a communications expert, humourist, public speaking trainer, and author of The Little Book of Influence: 8 Keys to Transformative Communication.
