As a keynote speaker, I often use humor to reinforce my key business messages, whether I’m speaking to oncologists, obstetricians or ophthalmologists.
Something that might surprise you. You don’t need to be a stand-up comedian to add humor to your presentations. You don’t even need a killer punchline or a “tight five” for the local comedy club. What you do need, though, is a willingness to spot the little moments of levity around you—and use them to better connect with your audience.
Because here’s the thing: Business Humor is not about comedy. Business Humor is a communication tool and about building connection with your client, customer or audience.
Want to Add Humor to Your Presentation? L.A.U.G.H.
I’ve developed an acronym—L.A.U.G.H.—to help people remember how to find and use humor effectively in business. It’s not about telling jokes. It’s about being intentional with moments that bring a smile.
Let’s start with the first letter:
L is for LISTEN
Guess how many times you laugh on the average day! We laugh more than we think—researchers say 15 to 20 times a day! But ask someone what made them laugh this week, and you’ll get a blank! We do not remember how often we laughed, smiled or chuckled and we do not remember what made us laugh, smile or chuckle.
The thing is, most of what makes us laugh isn’t jokes—it’s comments, anecdotes, quips, and little spontaneous moments. So when presenting on Adding Humor to your Presentation or speech, I tell my audience to LISTEN for those moments that put a smile on your face or the people around you. Capture those moments that put a smile on your face or the people around you. Do this intentionally. Record that moment in a deliberate, intentional manner by either popping into your smart phone or notebook with the intention to use that moment that generated a smile, sometime, somewhere, someplace. It is quite likely the next time you’re giving a presentation, that quick-witted comment you made at Tuesday’s team meeting might be the perfect light-hearted touch to reinforce your key point.
How do you use humor in business presentations?
As a keynote speaker who deliberately uses humor to reinforce my messages and build audience connection, here’s my belief and methodology: “Make your serious point… and then reinforce it with a relevant bit of humor.” The purpose of business humor I believe is to reinforce your key message and build connection with your audience.
That relevant humor that you used to make your audience smile or chuckle builds connection partly because the endorphin hit from a laugh opens people up. It makes them more receptive. More connected. You’re no longer “the presenter.” You’re the person they like, the one who made them smile—and gave them something valuable to remember.
You Don’t Have to Be Funny… to Be Funny
For those of you who think you are not funny. I have news for you! You don’t have to be funny to be funny.
You just have to pay attention. Humor is already around you.
So, what I encourage people to do is build a little humor bank. Keep track of things that made you laugh—or better yet, that made someone else laugh at something you said. That moment might just be the hook your next audience needs.
And remember, this isn’t about trying to be Seinfeld or Kevin Hart. It’s about adding just enough lightness to reinforce your message and create connection.
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Includes funny quotes from Mark Twain, Mayor Richard J. Daley “”The policeman is not here to create disorder. The policeman is here to preserve disorder,” Mother Teresa (honest), George Bernard Shaw, Ronald Reagan, Barack Obama and many more.
IrishmanSpeaks – Conor Cunneen (left) is a Chicago-based motivational, humorous business speaker who delights in adding humor in his presentations and helping others to do the same.
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About your Blogger on Adding Humor to your Presentation
Conor Cunneen – IrishmanSpeaks is an award winnng keynote speaker and business humorist. Conor’s mission is to leave his audience with a smile on the face, a spring in the step and memorable, actionable takeaways to improve people, performance and productivity – with a Smile. He also delights in helping others add humor to their presentation of sales pitch. Conor likes to play Metallica loud. His wife does not like him to play Metallica loud!
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If you would like more detail on Adding Humor to your Presentation and courses provided by IrishmanSpeaks Conor Cunneen visit TheImprovementAcademy.com
Conor is a Humorous Motivational Keynote Speaker who is also a multiple author. View his books at TheShamrockShop.com
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