LAUGH MORE
LAUGH MORE
Underestimating the power of laughter is a mistake we all make.
A good, well-timed belly laugh can completely change your outlook. Personally, I’m always trying to entertain myself. If others don’t make you laugh—do it yourself. That’s my motto. Now, my “better half” doesn’t always appreciate my material… but she does appreciate the effort. Sometimes I make her laugh. And then there’s the other 85% of the time. Some people—people with less resilience—would quit with a 15% success rate. Not me. My philosophy is simple: I’m here to entertain myself. If others enjoy it, that’s just a bonus.
So why is laughter so good for us?
Yes, it releases endorphins. Yes, it reduces stress and anxiety. Yes, it gives us a temporary break from life’s challenges. But more importantly—it spreads.
Laughter has a ripple effect. When we laugh with others—or even near others—we make the environment better. Lighter. Kinder. And let’s be honest… we could use a little more of that.
Humans are social creatures… well, most of you are. We feed off each other’s energy. Positive energy lifts us. Negative energy? Yeah… we’ve all been in that meeting. But put yourself around upbeat, funny people, and even the most committed curmudgeon starts to loosen up.
Think about a time you were in a bad mood. Then something happens—you see a funny video, hear a perfectly timed joke, or watch someone tip over in a chair. Don’t act like you didn’t laugh. You laughed.
I’ve developed a bit of a habit with short videos on Instagram— “Insta” for those trying to stay current. And if you don’t know what Instagram is… that’s okay. We’ll get you caught up right after we fix your VCR. I’ll sit there laughing out loud, then send those videos to my wife—especially the ones making fun of men. Because I know she’ll appreciate them. Well… maybe not the humor as much as the accuracy. I’m pretty sure she watches those and thinks, “If he knows this behavior is ridiculous… why doesn’t he just change it?” That’s a fair question. But if I fix all my flaws…, what am I going to laugh at?
Now, on a slightly more serious note—humor matters, especially in leadership.
As a facilitator, I’ve seen how a well-timed moment of humor can completely change a room. It puts people at ease. It builds connection. It creates energy. It can even make a boring meeting… tolerable. And those moments matter. They give people a chance to reset, refocus, and re-engage. There’s a reason even the most intense movies include humor. Writers understand something important: people need a break from intensity.
The same is true in great storytelling—and in leadership.
So, what if you’re sitting there thinking, “That’s great… but I’m not funny”? First of all,… I’m sorry. Second, humor is a skill. It can be developed. It just takes time. In my case… about 60 years.
And let me be clear—I said self-entertaining. But that’s the point. Entertain yourself first. If others come along for the ride, great.
Because at the end of the day, we take life too seriously.
The world is a funny place—if you’re willing to see it. Laugh at it. Laugh with others. And most importantly… learn to laugh at yourself.
Because helping someone smile—or better yet, laugh—might be the most important thing you do all day.