You’re here, so you probably already have a fairly well-developed sense of humor. You enjoy cartoons, especially smart cartoons. You already know that humor has value and that being funny makes you more likable.
But why does humor make you more likable?
Research shows that humor helps lower stress levels. It relaxes people. Think about how you feel when someone you find funny approaches; you have a very different emotional reaction toward them than toward the person who makes you feel uncomfortable, nervous — or maybe even worse — bored. Also, displaying a sense of humor shows your self-confidence. That’s why research shows it’s a boon in any leadership position.
So how do you develop a sense of humor? One way is by finding and sharing things you find funny. As you explore what you find funny, you begin to refine your own unique sense of humor. There are as many different senses of humor as there are personality traits. Some people love puns:
Others go for off-the-wall and wacky:
Some use humor to make a dry concept come to life in a textbook:
Or point out inequity on their blog or Facebook page:
When you share humor, you’re sharing a window into how you think. Consider the popularity of sharing memes and cartoons on social media. Sharing humor emerged as a way to tell people what you stand for instantly — or against — sometimes in a single cartoon.
The comedian John Sherman said, “If people are laughing, it means they’re paying attention.” Humor is a great way to connect and command attention. You can take that same idea and apply it to the workplace. Start by sharing humor that connects you to the people you work with or the audience you’re trying to reach.
Try using cartoons to break the ice during your presentations and meetings; happily, we’ve got over 500,000 to choose from. Or go a step further and book a live Cartoonathon to bring interactive humor directly to your team. Our Cartoonathons are popular with organizations and businesses that communicate complex ideas or bring far-flung staff together. Let us bring cartoonists to you online to collaborate on issues important to your business. Interested? Learn more here or contact Trevor to discuss options and pricing.
Yours in Good Humor,
Bob