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There is
nothing funny about a business without humor. It goes far beyond a play
on words. Although the business community largely dismisses humor as
frivolous and unproductive, it may in fact be an invaluable asset
waiting to be exploited.
As both a speaker and trainer, I’ve long since discovered the magic of
humor. Ten years ago, it was generally thought to do little more than
perhaps make the experience more palatable. Now, we know at least eight
distinct advantages of using humor.
Keeps
participants alert and awake
Laughing
triggers the release of adrenalin to the body in a perfect dosage and
without any negative side effects. Mentally it keeps listeners vigilant
for a surprise and consequently focusing on what’s being said.
Increases retention of
information
Research has proven that
long-term memory improves significantly when humor is used appropriately
and sparingly in the classroom. Use a humor sandwich...tell it serious,
tell it funny, and tell it serious again.
Increases pleasure and decreases
pain
The laughing process
also triggers the release of dopamine (your body’s version of
morphine). It’s the same chemical, released in response to torture of
the body, that causes the “runner’s high”. And, most people find
laughing more fun than running a marathon.
Make participants more relaxed
and responsive
Dr. Fry at Stanford
proved that laughing 100 times is the equivalent of 10 minutes of
exercise on a rowing machine. The average child laughs
about 400 times a day. The average adult about 15 times a day. Makes
sense. Acting like a kid is relaxing!
Stimulates creativity and
flexibility of thought
To paraphrase George
Carlin, “when your brain gets the punch line, you are never more open
to new ideas and concepts than at that time.”
It’s opposite of what a lot of business people believe. The
truth is…more fun = more creativity = more productivity.
Ha ha!
Arouses
and ignites great expectations
Humor
carries a kind of electrical charge with it. It’s stimulating! It
changes things. Naturally, you want to have more fun so you contribute
to the process. You begin to anticipate the humor. You soon come to
expect it. And that is a great state of mind to be in!
Enhances
the audience’s reaction to you
Most of you will agree
that the best trainers and speakers you’ve experienced use humor
in their presentations. And you appreciate them for it. For the same
reason, the listeners will like you more for your honest efforts to
use humor for their benefit.
Has the same effect on you
Imagine how much better
you’d perform your job if you were more alert, awake, creative, open
to new ideas, remembering more, relaxed and responsive. Well, if
you’re laughing along with the audience, you’ll get the same
benefits they derive from humor.
But
wait, there’s more!
Philosopher William
James said, “We don’t laugh because we’re happy, we’re happy
because we laugh.” Humor
has helped people out of dangerous situations. It helped Ronald Reagan
become President. It is used routinely to control stress. Just a few
weeks ago, A Doctor from the University of Maryland announced that his
research shows that people with a lesser-developed sense of humor have
higher rates of heart attacks.
When
comedians talk about “killing us” they may actually be saving us.
No kidding around, humor works. And those who laugh last longer and
better.
Bill
Schabel is a speaker,
trainer, consultant and the President of
Hyperformance
Learning, Inc. in Atlanta. He can be reached at
770-887-9830.
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