Hey there — Conor Cunneen, IrishmanSpeaks, here again providing more tips, tricks and techniques to help you add more humor to your presentation.
Now, if you’ve seen my videos before, you’ve likely heard me say this more than once:
You don’t have to be funny to be funny.
Sounds odd? Maybe.
But it’s true.
You don’t have to be a comedian. What you can do is capture the humor that happens around you. And you never know when you’ll spot a little gem — something funny, ironic, or even absurd — that might someday help you reinforce your message on stage.
A Motorcycle, a Railroad Track… and Comic Confusion
A few months ago, I was riding my motorcycle down near Lemont, Illinois. I took a break, went for a walk around the town, and wandered close to the railroad tracks.
That’s when I spotted the sign above!
It said, in a delightfully contradictory tone:
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Go.
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Don’t go.
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Stop.
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Start.
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Proceed with caution.
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Don’t proceed at all.
It was like something straight out of a Monty Python sketch.
And I thought to myself, “What are you supposed to do here?”
Where Humor Meets Messaging
Now here’s the trick — and this is the part I want you to take away:
This little real-world absurdity? It’s perfect for a presentation on communication.
Imagine using that photo in a workshop. You’re talking about the importance of being clear and concise in your message. You show this confusing sign and say something like:
“It’s vital to communicate simply and clearly. Otherwise… you might as well post a sign like this.”
It’s not Kevin Hart-level comedy.
It’s a light chuckle, a knowing smile.
But that moment — that smile — makes your audience remember the point.
Why a Smile Matters More Than a Laugh
When you get your audience to smile, even for a moment, you:
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Connect more deeply.
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Make your message stick.
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Create a shared experience.
That’s the power of relevant humor. It’s not about being hilarious. It’s about using the world around you to reinforce your content and build connection.
You Don’t Need a Motorcycle…
Sure, I happened to be on a bike that day. But you don’t need to ride a Harley to discover humor.
What you do need is a way to capture the humor you see:
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Use your phone’s Notes app.
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Take a photo.
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Record a voice memo.
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Jot it on a napkin (if you’re old-school like me).
These little moments of humor — the ones you encounter every day — become the building blocks for stronger presentations.
Bottom Line: Humor Is Everywhere. Are You Looking?
So there you have it.
From motorcycle rides to railroad signs, the world is full of small, smile-worthy stories.
And those stories? They help you connect, engage, and be remembered.
Until next time, this is Conor Cunneen – IrishmanSpeaks…
Off to walk the land once again — and, of course, always thinking about ways to add humor to your presentation.
Cheers — and keep smiling.
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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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