Science shows that people are more likely to listen, connect and establish trust with someone who makes them laugh. The good news you don't need to become a comedian, you just need to learn how to add a little humour and it's easier than you think.
I have nothing but admiration for anyone who has the courage to get up and do some stand up comedy. My guest this week, Marty Wilson spent a decade living and working in the UK as a stand-up. Today Marty teaches companies and business leaders about the power of humour and why it is such a valuable business skill and and tool to use.
In this interview Marty shares lot's of practical tips and advice about the do's and don'ts of business humour. If you want to find an effective way to enrich the communication you have with your customers and staff, this episode is packed with great ideas and examples about how to do it. Best of all you don't need to jump on a stage, mic in hand and make an audience laugh.
Three lessons Marty shared that jumped out to me.
1. Adding humour doesn't mean you need to try and be a comedian or start telling jokes, like three men walked into a bar...type stuff. Business humour is different to working in a comedy club and it starts with you simply sharing your own humourous stories.
2. There are only three acceptable targets for business humour. Deviate from these three and you run the real risk of upsetting people and your attempts to add humour could backfiring badly. Marty's first rule to safe humour is, "If you ain't one of them, don't make fun of them".
3. One of the most beneficial things you can do to enhance the customer experience is look for those aspects of doing business with you that you know your customers find tedious, boring or frustrating and sprinkle some humour into the process so your clients see the funny side of it.
