Leading with Laughter: The Power of Humor in Leadership | Paul Osincup | TEDxNapaValley

Summary

The speaker humorously recounts his early career, including a comical mishap of entering the wrong restroom, which unexpectedly bonded him with colleagues. He emphasizes the importance of humor in leadership, arguing that it fosters approachability and reduces social distance. Citing historical figures and modern workplace trends, he makes a case for the benefits of laughter, from boosting morale to improving health. He concludes by encouraging everyone to embrace their inner child and find joy in the simple act of laughter, as it's a universal language that brings people together.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker humorously acknowledges his resemblance to a mix of Bruce Willis and Danny DeVito, setting a light-hearted tone.
• 🎓 He discusses the importance of taking oneself less seriously, even after achieving professional success like earning a master's degree and a job at a university.
• 🏢 The speaker's initial job was 'interim,' highlighting the pressure to perform well to secure a permanent position.
• 🤝 He emphasizes the value of humor in building relationships, as demonstrated by a funny incident at a conference that brought him closer to his colleagues.
• 👠 A humorous anecdote about accidentally entering a women's restroom illustrates the speaker's ability to laugh at himself and connect with others through shared amusement.
• 📊 The speaker includes a fabricated chart to humorously point out the expectation for data in presentations, while advocating for the power of humor and relatability.
• 🤔 He suggests that how seriously others take us is inversely proportional to how seriously we take ourselves, advocating for a more light-hearted approach to leadership.
• 👴 Historical figures like Abraham Lincoln are used as examples of leaders who didn't take themselves too seriously and used humor effectively.
• 😂 The benefits of laughter for physical health, such as increased blood flow and reduced muscle tension, are highlighted.
• 👶 The speaker notes that children laugh frequently and suggests that maintaining a childlike sense of humor and wonder is beneficial for adults.
• 🏆 He was asked to host a university staff awards banquet, where he chose to embrace humor and not take himself too seriously, aligning with his message.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial job at a university?

The speaker's initial job at a university was an interim administrative position.

Why did the speaker attend a conference with colleagues?

The speaker attended a conference with colleagues to get to know them better and hoped to impress them so they would speak highly of him to his bosses, which could help him secure his job.

What embarrassing situation did the speaker encounter at an outlet mall?

The speaker accidentally entered a women's restroom due to feeling unwell and not noticing the absence of urinals, leading to a moment of panic and embarrassment when he realized his mistake.

How did the speaker's colleagues react to his restroom story?

The speaker's colleagues laughed at his story all the way home, but it did not seem to cost him any professional credibility or respect; instead, it brought them closer together.

What is the speaker's view on the role of humor in leadership?

The speaker believes that humor and not taking oneself too seriously play a significant role in making leaders relatable, approachable, and less stressful.

What is the inverse relationship mentioned by the speaker?

The speaker mentioned that how seriously others take us is inversely related to how seriously we take ourselves, implying that being less self-serious can lead to more respect from others.

What historical figure did the speaker use as an example of a leader with a sense of humor?

The speaker used Abraham Lincoln as an example of a leader who didn't take himself too seriously and had a good sense of humor.

What are some of the benefits of laughter mentioned by the speaker?

The speaker mentioned that laughter increases blood flow, reduces muscle tension, and can have a similar effect on the body as physical exercise.

What is the average number of times a four-year-old laughs in a day according to the speaker?

The speaker stated that the average four-year-old laughs 300 times a day.

What did the speaker do at the university's staff awards banquet?

The speaker hosted the university's staff awards banquet dressed as a fictional college 70s basketball star.

What message does the speaker want to convey about life?

The speaker wants to convey that life is too important to be taken too seriously and that we should embrace our childlike spark and silliness more often.