Find your Funny - Unlocking your Sense of Humor at Work

As the world settles back into some form of this new normal, you may have noticed something is missing. Amidst all the Zoom calls, reply-to-all emails, and attempts at hybrid work environments, many workers have lost their sense of humor and the workplace has lost its sense of humanity. Humor is a vital skill for thriving in today's work environment and when it comes to learning the skill of humor, the question isn’t, “Are you funny?” The question is “What kind of funny are you?” In this mindset-shifting session, you will discover the secret to the skill of humor and why it’s so valuable in the workplace, identify ways to unlock your personal humor style at work and learn the key steps in creating humor that anyone can learn (even if you're "not funny.”). All of this helps to create and maintain a positive perspective (and culture) even in difficult situations, to build confidence beyond presentation skills but also in how you show up every day and to apply humor in specific situations for improving work.

During the expert session, Andrew Tarvin engages the audience through a Q&A session using the Mentimeter app and live demonstrations of humor techniques, and he encourages participants to share their thoughts and experiences on humor in the workplace. These activities help the audience understand the importance and benefits of using humor effectively in various professional contexts while addressing concerns about cultural differences and appropriateness.

• Discovering the Power of Humor: Understanding that humor is a multifaceted skill essential for effective communication and leadership in the workplace.

• Mastering Inclusive and Appropriate Humor: Learning how to adapt your humor style based on cultural differences, organizational contexts, and individual preferences to foster a positive work environment.

• Practicing Humor as a Tool for Productivity and Engagement: Incorporating humor into daily tasks, meetings, and presentations to reduce stress, increase focus, and improve overall job satisfaction.

In this expert session, Andrew Tarvin, an engineer turned international trainer and speaker, shares his unique perspective on the skill of humor in the workplace. Andrew introduces himself as an engineer with a lifelong obsession with efficiency but a realization of the importance of being effective with people rather than just machines.

Andrew's journey to humor began during his time at Procter & Gamble, where he discovered the power of humor in the workplace. He later found that humor and productivity intersected when he pursued improv and stand-up comedy. In the session, Andrew invites participants to share their location, mood, and feelings for the day to foster a connected environment.

The agenda for the session includes discussing why humor is essential in the workplace, deconstructing the skill of humor, and applying it to improve communication and leadership skills. Throughout the discussion, Andrew emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural differences when using humor professionally, as everyone may have varying reactions based on their regional or cultural backgrounds.

Using data from studies, Andrew highlights the benefits of incorporating humor in the workplace, such as stress reduction, building stronger relationships, and increased productivity. He acknowledges that humor is not the only method but encourages participants to consider its unique advantages.

Andrew then dives deeper into understanding the elements of humor: sense of humor, ability to humor, and agency with humor. Sense of humor refers to what makes us laugh or smile, while ability to humor is how we use our sense of humor to make others laugh. Lastly, agency with humor is what we do with our humor, whether it's easing stress, managing emotions, or bringing people closer together through inside jokes.

Throughout the session, Andrew uses practical examples and interactive tools like the Mentimeter app to engage participants in exploring their beliefs about humor in the workplace. He also shares personal anecdotes of his experiences and transformation from someone who was not considered funny to a professional comedian, improviser, and storyteller.

Andrew emphasizes the importance of practicing humor in a safe environment when starting out and encourages individuals to explore various forms of public speaking like standup comedy or improv classes to enhance their humor skills. He also shares practical tips on using humor effectively in professional settings while avoiding offense, such as focusing on positive, inclusive humor and considering the "newspaper rule."

Throughout the session, Andrew encourages participants to share their thoughts, experiences, and insights, creating an engaging environment for learning and growth. By the end of the session, Andrew leaves participants with the takeaway that humor in the workplace can help create a more enjoyable work environment, ultimately increasing productivity and reducing stress while fostering connections between colleagues.

No other sessions available at this moment.

To be added