What will I learn about: why a rigid, humorless work environment stifles creativity and how leaders can use levity to boost innovation, productivity, and team belonging?

Discover why a rigid, humorless work environment stifles creativity and how leaders can use levity to boost innovation, productivity, and team belonging.

What will I learn about: the four crippling myths about workplace humor—including the false belief that it undermines professionalism—and why shedding them is crucial for success?

Understand the four crippling myths about workplace humor—including the false belief that it undermines professionalism—and why shedding them is crucial for success.

What will I learn about: Identify your unique humor style—whether you are a Stand-up, Sweetheart, Magnet, or Sniper—to effectively increase your influence, creativity, and resilience in business?

Identify your unique humor style—whether you are a Stand-up, Sweetheart, Magnet, or Sniper—to effectively increase your influence, creativity, and resilience in business.

What will I learn about: construct effective humor using the core principles of truth and surprise, and discover how shared laughter can strengthen long-term relationships?

Learn how to construct effective humor using the core principles of truth and surprise, and discover how shared laughter can strengthen long-term relationships.

What will I learn about: the art of injecting humor into corporate communications to transform sterile, robotic emails into genuine emotional connections that showcase your true personality?

Master the art of injecting humor into corporate communications to transform sterile, robotic emails into genuine emotional connections that showcase your true personality.

Humor, Seriously

Why Humor Is a Superpower at Work and in Life (And How Anyone Can Harness It. Even You.)

Jennifer Aaker & Naomi Bagdonas

★ 4.1 / 5(479 ratings)

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Categories:

Management & Leadership Communication Skills Career & Success

If You're Curious About These Questions...

You should listen to this audiobook

💡What if the secret to building instant trust and unlocking your team's creative potential was as simple as bringing more humor into the office?
💡Did you know that using levity in a professional setting can actually increase your status and influence, rather than undermining your authority?
💡Have you ever wondered why some of the world's most successful leaders prioritize playfulness—and how you can do the same even if you don’t consider yourself a 'funny' person?

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Key Takeaways from Humor, Seriously

✓Discover why a rigid, humorless work environment stifles creativity and how leaders can use levity to boost innovation, productivity, and team belonging.
✓Understand the four crippling myths about workplace humor—including the false belief that it undermines professionalism—and why shedding them is crucial for success.
✓Identify your unique humor style—whether you are a Stand-up, Sweetheart, Magnet, or Sniper—to effectively increase your influence, creativity, and resilience in business.
✓Learn how to construct effective humor using the core principles of truth and surprise, and discover how shared laughter can strengthen long-term relationships.
✓Master the art of injecting humor into corporate communications to transform sterile, robotic emails into genuine emotional connections that showcase your true personality.

Learning Tools

Reinforce what you learned from Humor, Seriously

Mind Map

Humor, Seriously

Value & Benefits+

The Four Humor Styles+

Core Principles of Funny+

Comedic Techniques+

Workplace Application+

Boundaries & Responsibility+

Leadership & Trust+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 10

According to the book, which of the following is NOT one of the physiological benefits of laughter?

A. The release of endorphins that provide a euphoric feeling
B. The release of dopamine that increases happiness
C. An increase in adrenaline that boosts workplace competitiveness
D. The lowering of cortisol levels which reduces stress

Question 2 of 10

Which of the four humor styles is characterized by an uplifting, positive demeanor, often associated with a 'class clown' who laughs before reaching the punchline?

A. Stand-ups
B. Magnets
C. Sweethearts
D. Snipers

Question 3 of 10

What do the authors identify as the fundamental 'heart of humor'?

A. Exaggeration
B. Sarcasm
C. Timing
D. Truth

Question 4 of 10

When using humor to address personal frustrations or anger, what strategy do the authors recommend to avoid making colleagues feel personally attacked?

A. Aim your frustrations at a fictional third party.
B. Deliver the joke using a highly sarcastic tone.
C. Use self-deprecating humor to take all the blame.
D. Wait until the anger has completely passed before mentioning it.

Question 5 of 10

How does the 'rule of three' create humor?

A. By repeating a punchline three times to ensure the audience hears it.
B. By having three different people collaborate on a single joke.
C. By listing two expected things and subverting them with an unexpected third element.
D. By ensuring a funny story has a clear beginning, middle, and end.

Question 6 of 10

What is the primary benefit of conducting a 'Bad Idea Brainstorm' in the workplace?

A. It quickly eliminates unviable strategies so the team can focus on serious work.
B. It activates the brain's creativity center and encourages visionary ideas through silliness.
C. It helps management identify which employees are not taking their jobs seriously.
D. It serves as a team-building exercise where employees roast each other's failures.

Question 7 of 10

What test do the authors suggest using to determine if a joke is appropriate for the workplace?

A. Remove the humor and examine if the underlying truth still feels appropriate.
B. Ask human resources for permission before delivering the joke.
C. Ensure the joke is universally positive and uplifting.
D. Check if the joke targets leadership rather than subordinate employees.

Question 8 of 10

How does Spanx founder Sara Blakely use humor to handle mistakes and encourage vulnerability?

A. She sends out a weekly newsletter roasting her own leadership decisions.
B. She hires professional comedians to perform during stressful project deadlines.
C. She requires employees to write a funny poem whenever they miss a sales target.
D. She holds company-wide 'Oops Meetings' where she addresses her mistakes while playing fitting music.

Question 9 of 10

What advice do the authors give regarding personal bios on professional platforms like LinkedIn?

A. Keep them strictly formal to avoid alienating potential employers.
B. Strike a balance between being clever and lighthearted while still reflecting your actual achievements.
C. Use exclusively self-deprecating humor to downplay your achievements and appear humble.
D. Avoid mentioning personal hobbies or family opinions entirely.

Question 10 of 10

According to the book, why is self-deprecating humor particularly useful for leaders?

A. It distracts employees from a lack of trust in the company's financial stability.
B. It allows them to avoid taking responsibility for major corporate failures.
C. It helps them find a balance between being authoritative and approachable.
D. It guarantees that they will be liked more than their strict predecessors.

Humor, Seriously — Full Chapter Overview

1Recommendation
21 — Humor is a learned skill, and its benefits are many.
32 — There are four main types of funny people.
43 — Truth is at the heart of humor, but joke carefully about pain and anger.
54 — Get funnier with exaggeration, specificity, analogies, and the rule of three.
65 — Develop your go-to stories and bring humor to work with “The Bad Idea Brainstorm.”
76 — People find different things funny, so use humor responsibly.
87 — Improve your humor by embracing your personality.
98 — Become a better leader by bringing humor into the workplace.
109 — Final summary

Humor, Seriously Summary & Overview

Humor, Seriously (2021) explores the value of a human-centered approach to business, and of the funny that can be found and created in any environment. It relies on science, psychology, and humorous anecdotes from experts in the field to show how using humor can create a culture of levity, build trust, and unlock creativity.

Who Should Listen to Humor, Seriously?

Leaders looking to build trust
Managers who want to enhance creativity
Anyone seeking more joy in work and life

About the Author: Jennifer Aaker & Naomi Bagdonas

Dr. Jennifer Aaker is a leading expert on how purpose and meaning shape individual choices. Her work has been widely published in leading scientific journals, and featured in the Economist, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Atlantic, and Science. She counts winning a dance-off in the 1980s as one of her greatest feats.

Naomi Bagdonas, a Stanford professor, facilitates interactive sessions for leaders, Fortune 100 companies, and nonprofits. She also coaches executives and celebrities for appearances on shows ranging from Saturday Night Live to Today. Her constant stream of foster dogs describe her as gullible and full of treats.

Humor, Seriously

If You're Curious About These Questions...

Listen to Humor, Seriously — Free Audiobook

Key Takeaways from Humor, Seriously

Learning Tools

Mind Map

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Humor, Seriously — Full Chapter Overview

Humor, Seriously Summary & Overview

Who Should Listen to Humor, Seriously?

About the Author: Jennifer Aaker & Naomi Bagdonas

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