Introducing the L-A-U-G-H Acronym for Adding Humor to your Presentation

I recently had a conversation with architect Lance Kayco on his podcast, Inside the Firm, where we explored why using humor – and I mean relevant humor –  in presentations and conversations can have a powerful effect in creating good business connections.

In the video, you will see I reference the acronym L-AU-G-H which offers FIVE concepts to help you add relevant ( I keep using that word) to your business presentation or speech.

L-AU-G-H

Listen

Anecdote

Uncomfortable

Google (on the Bing!!)

Hee Hee Hee to Ho Ho HO

“Listen”: The First Step to Finding Humor

I firmly believe that humor is everywhere; we just need to tap into it. The first part of LAUGH is “Listen.” I encouraged listeners to pay attention to their surroundings. Did you hear someone giggle at something silly? Or maybe you told a funny story yesterday that made your friend roar with laughter? By writing down humorous moments or comments, you can create a treasure trove of material to draw from later. Imagine being able to light up any dull room simply by recalling a funny moment – a moment where you said something that put a smile on a colleagues face, a quip that you heard that put a smile on your face or even something that you heard from your kid or grand kid. It’s a skill anyone can cultivate, as everyone has the potential to be funny if they open their ears to the humor around them.

🎭 Act: Bringing Humor to Life

Now that you have humor stored away, the next step is “Act.” It’s one thing to observe and store funny moments, but you must also be willing to share them. When I refer back to my chat with Lance, I emphasize that you don’t have to be funny to be funny. Just capture the humor around you. Remember that one time you experienced an embarrassing moment? Share it! More often than not, others can relate. Acting on humorous impulses is a great way to break the ice.

📅 Use: Timing is Everything

However, humor isn’t just about telling jokes; it’s also about timing, which leads us to “Use.” Not every situation is right for humor. Being mindful about when to share a joke or funny story can make the difference between a hit and a miss. Pay attention to the cues from your audience. If things feel too tense or serious, maybe lightening the mood with a well-timed quip can ease the tension. It’s all about reading the room!

📝 Gather: Building Your Humor Library

You may be wondering how to keep track of all the funny things you encounter. It’s simple! I encourage everyone to maintain an “ideas” note on their phones. Everyday interactions, social media posts, or even memes can provide inspiration. As I mentioned during my discussion with Lance, the more you gather, the easier it will be to share comedic moments in the future.

✨ Humor’s Impact: The Benefits Beyond a Laugh

But why should you bother with this? Well, studies suggest that humor can lead to better relationships. Whether you’re in sales, education, or any field, connecting through laughter fosters understanding and relationship-building. Companies that prioritize a fun work environment see increased creativity and employee satisfaction, proving that laughter is not just nice to have; it’s a necessity.

By embracing humor, you not only make your presentations more engaging but also create an inviting atmosphere. So, why not give it a shot? Capture those funny moments, share your experiences, and you’ll find that both you and your audiences will benefit.

Finally, I strongly believe that the real benefit of adding humor to your speech or presentation is not that people are laughing, but that you are building connection with your audience or client and doing it through relevant humor.

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. Conor likes to play Metallica loud. His wife does not like him to play Metallica loud!

Full Video Text

Adding Humor to Your Presentation – The Power of “LISTEN”

Hey, Conor Cunneen, IrishmanSpeaks here again, providing you with some more tips on adding humor to your presentation.

I recently did a very interesting podcast with an architect, Lance Cayko, who hosts a podcast called Inside the Firm.

When I was talking with Lance, we spoke about the L-A-U-G-H acronym—L-A-U-G-H—and the five concepts.

So, let’s have a quick look at how we addressed the L in LAUGH, which stands for “LISTEN.”

How Can You Become a Little Bit Funny?

Say there are people listening to this, and they say,

“I am not funny, but I feel like everybody can be given some kind of tips to become a little bit funny. You know, are there just standard kinds of joke formulas? Help us out with that.”

Right, okay. So, I’m gonna ask you a question, and this will introduce the five concepts that I’m going to speak about.

Because what I say, Lance—what I say, Lance—is that:

“You don’t have to be funny to be funny.”

What you need to do is capture the humor around you.

The LAUGH Acronym

So, I’ll ask you a question. I’m looking for a five-letter word, and we’ll work with that word.

Okay, so if I say something funny to you, Lance, what do I hope that you will do?

Laugh.

Laugh!

Okay, rock and roll!

All right, so let’s take that LAUGH word—L-A-U-G-H—and use it to provide five concepts that would help anyone add humor to their presentation, sales call, or interactions.

The First Element of LAUGH – “LISTEN”

The first element of the LAUGH concept is L, and L is about “LISTEN.”

The way I explained this to Lance is this:

Yesterday, you probably said something funny—something that made a client laugh, a colleague laugh, or maybe even a family member laugh.

But you’ve kind of forgotten about it.

What I encourage people to do is this:

• If you see something funny
• If you say something funny
• If you hear something funny

Just listen to it, write it down, record it, put it into your iPhone Notes or Android Notes—whatever tool you use.

You don’t know when you’re going to use it, but at some point, somewhere, you will find the right time and place to bring it in.

So, that’s the first element of LAUGH—

Just commit to saying:

“All right, I’m going to start recording and listening to what is happening around me.”

Stay Tuned for More on the LAUGH Acronym!