0:00:03 - (Kate Davis): Hello, I'm Kate Davis and this is Humor in the C Suite, a show about how leaders use humor to create an extraordinary work culture. Hi, everyone, and welcome to this week's episode of Humor in the C Suite. I'm so happy you guys are with me today. I'm having a great hair day. Just saying, you know, you got to celebrate the small wins. But today is really special because I've been getting so many questions on LinkedIn and people have been emailing me asking me questions.

0:00:31 - (Kate Davis): So I thought I would take time this week to answer your questions. So it's sort of fun. I've never done it before, and it's sort of exciting to do an episode by myself. Exciting? I don't know. Is it sort of lonely? I don't know. You know, it's like writing a book. You're all alone. I don't know if it's working or not. I'm staring into a green light, but I thought I would just go for it. So here we go.

0:00:54 - (Kate Davis): Also, with everything that's going on in the world, it's really never been more important for all of us to connect and to laugh and to release tension and stay healthy and inspire everyone who's around us by being kind. And I really hope that, you know, this half hour or so will really help you guys do that. So, okay, first question I got was, how does humor enhance executive presence and leadership effectiveness?

0:01:25 - (Kate Davis): I thought this was a great question because it really does. It always starts at the top. And, but you don't want to be, you know, too strong handed. You want to be relatable. You know, you don't want to be the most authoritative in the room. You want to, you know, you want to inspire your team. So number one thing that enhances executive presence and leadership effectiveness is definitely like, and building connection.

0:01:52 - (Kate Davis): Humor really makes leaders more relatable and fosters trust. And I think that's one of the most important points. It really does. You know, it just makes us feel more human and it lowers our defenses. So we really are able to say, oh, yeah, I can trust this guy or this woman or this executive if I'm having trouble or I have a question. Because so many times, you know, you feel like you need to know everything.

0:02:18 - (Kate Davis): I personally am one of those people. I'm like, I don't know. There's. There's certain power in saying I don't know. And I think as an executive, you really, or as a leader, you really can create that atmosphere where people can really, really just be themselves by you being more relatable. Also it increases influence. You know, a well placed joke can ease tension and improve persuasion. When people feel, you know, connected to someone or something, it makes them want to help, it makes them feel inspired, it makes them want to create.

0:02:51 - (Kate Davis): So I think there's a lot there that can be, you know, explored. And look, look, I know we have to be so politically correct, but a lot of times, you know, just being yourself in those moments and we, we find what we're looking for. So look for the funny, look for the levity. You know, it could just be, you know, something silly. When we were kids, we laughed at everything. So find those little tiny moments that really make you feel like, you know, it can just release that pressure valve of tension of what's going on and also boost confidence. Leaders who use humor appear to be more self assured and in control.

0:03:32 - (Kate Davis): They don't mind being vulner. A joke doesn't land. You know, you can always say, ah, my, I'm sorry. Like there's just, it doesn't matter what it is, but you can definitely go that way. And honestly, like there's always moments like we look, I love watching cats falling. You are failing, I should say. But you know, I just got a rescue dog. His name is Dice. And when I went to pick him up, like he was like little on Facebook. And then I went to pick him up and, and he was like triple the size. And I'm like, how do I trust you now?

0:04:06 - (Kate Davis): So there's great stories to be told in everything that we're doing. So find those little moments of levity, whether it's, you know, talking about your pet or talking about, you know, trying to find a parking spot or one of those moments that didn't go your way but ended up being really funny. So I think, you know, it really does show that you have more confidence and vulnerability and influence what you're doing.

0:04:31 - (Kate Davis): So I think that was a really good question actually. How does humor enhance executive presence and leadership effectiveness? It really all those things. Okay, so the next question that I got. What is how can humor improve communication in high stake situation? Well, it diffuses tension, it simplifies complex ideas and it encourages an open dialogue. Now when I say diffuses tension, you know, light humor can, it can break the ice, it can calm nerves. Even in tough situations, and especially when people feel like a little nervous, I find it can really help. There's one airline here in Canada called WestJet and they used to start off all their flights with a joke and like really dumb Jokes. Like, I remember one of the, one of the jokes was, why did the M and M go to university?

0:05:23 - (Kate Davis): Oh my God, Kate, why? Because it wanted to become a smarty. Like dumb jokes like that. But then all of a sudden, as silly as they were, it just made you feel like, okay, we're going to be safe on this flight or will we? No, it did, it made it, it released, it eased my tension because they were so relaxed. So I really find it can really, in those high stick situations, it can really help simplifying complex ideas, using analogies.

0:05:49 - (Kate Davis): Humor makes a message more memorable, you know, instead of stats or, or numbers. And I know that's a part of a lot of people's lives, but if you can sell a story around that, it, people remember stories, they don't remember stats. So if you can have a story around the stat, like I love telling people when I'm, I'm talking about social media and how much we're connecting so differently and that we want the newest, fastest, most stable connection possible. I want to know what each other's doing, where are you? Send me an Insta message so we can feel connected.

0:06:23 - (Kate Davis): And then I say, did you know that there are 700 million tweets a day? Now you might not remember that, but if you really, if you want that to resonate, I could say if that doesn't resonate with you, that would be the entire Harry Potter series being published every seven seconds. Now that is something you're going to remember. So there are ways to, you know, simplify a complex idea, but by telling stories and, you know, analogies and messages, I find it can really, really help, you know, just make the point, but really make people remember it. Humor really has the power to bring us to that moment. And, and it, you know what, and it can even encourage open dialogue, you know, like I said. So employees may feel, you know, more comfortable sharing ideas or, or concerns when we use humor to communicate in those high stakes situations.

0:07:18 - (Kate Davis): And you know, I, I guess high stake situations really are all about perspective because, you know, a lot of times it will be high stakes for the people working there, working on that deal. And it's all about the bottom line, baby, but really it's about the human connection. And if we're talking about high stakes and bottom lines and people really wanting to close that deal, if I'm, if someone's telling me the same car, two car, you know, dealers, I, who's going to make the sale, the guy with a sense of humor, the guy that really connect with me Who I felt like really got me.

0:07:55 - (Kate Davis): So I feel like, you know, if you're, if your employees are feeling more comfortable sharing ideas and concerns that they can come there with you. They're more likely to, you know, improve their communication in those high stakes situations when we have a bit of levity in there, you know, and levity really does lead to loyalty and great leadership. Look at me. All the L's alliteration. Anyway, guys, you know what I'm saying?

0:08:25 - (Kate Davis): Do. Am I talking a mile a minute? Oh my gosh. And you know what? Like, I have to say, I really love storytelling and, and it really does make an impact. It's really going to set you apart. So find those, you know, think about those little stories that you can tell. You can even Google this chat GPT. Can you get me three stories that relate to, you know, this kind of sale that we're working on right now and maybe you can even ask it for a funny story or how someone used humor in those situations. So there's lots of information out there. Let's use it to our advantage. That's why we're all sharing it. Anyway, you guys knew that. Okay, next question.

0:09:07 - (Kate Davis): I'm so excited, you guys. You know what? Because, you know, so often you put out a podcast and you don't know if people are listening. You know, you see the numbers, but the fact that people are really reaching out with questions and answers for me, I love that really does make me feel like, okay, it's resonating. And there's so much power, you know, in being a leader and knowing that you can be yourself and, and be relatable to bring your team together.

0:09:35 - (Kate Davis): Humor really catalyzes that. You know, it really does build relationships and connections and trust and lowers defense and really team. And it helps build team unity. So. All right, okay, I'll stop now. Okay. How does humor impact company culture and team morale? Ah, yes, team morale. Look, it increases engagement, it reduces stress, it fosters loyalty like I just talked about and it sparks creativity, which, you know, I'm all about that.

0:10:07 - (Kate Davis): So, like, when we talk about increasing engagement, like teams with fun lighted environment perform better. They just do. And I find that if we have those fun, and I've said this on my podcast before, but I'm going to say it again. If we have fun and build our teams in the good times, when the hard times or the challenging times or we have that high stakes situation happening, we work better. You know, we really do. And, and there are great ways to bring fun in with your teams. To hook that up with, like, you know, a game where you have a prize, and maybe it's donating that prize to a great charity or the fastest team to fill, you know, have, like, bags that can go to shelters or food banks and stuff. And. And then you could have, like, who's going to load up these bags the fastest? And competitions like that. So there are really fun ways that you can bring your teams together to enhance that relationship in the good times so you perform better in the bad times. And laughter, look, it.

0:11:08 - (Kate Davis): Laughter lowers cortisol levels and it keeps employees energized. When we feel connected to each other through laughter, it really does make us feel a part of the team. And it makes us feel like we're. We have sort of like an inside joke together as a team. And, you know, and we all have those relationships, like from our early school days, grade one, grade two. And then you meet that person, like, 20 years later, and you always feel like you have that relationship with them.

0:11:38 - (Kate Davis): That's because we had so much fun. We were little. You know, kids laugh over 300 times a day. Adults only laugh 15. Like, when did we leave Never never Land? You know, laughter really is a buffer between stress and its toxic effect. And laughter makes us kinder to one another. So those bonds that we made when we were so young really have that influence. But it doesn't mean we can't create those bonds with our teams as leaders as we get older.

0:12:06 - (Kate Davis): So it really can, you know, reduce stress and fost loyalty, like I just said. And it really does create a sense of belonging, really does bring people together. If we really want to talk about company culture and team morale, why. Why do we have that, like, one hockey coach that every kid wants to play for? What makes him different than all the other coaches? He makes people feel special. He makes people feel a part of something.

0:12:35 - (Kate Davis): You know, he enhances that. That team morale through bringing everyone. And you know what? Like, a great leader will always. And with all the leaders that I interviewed, the one thing I noticed what makes a real great leader is they know how to delegate, and they trust that the people that they hired are really good at their jobs. So I find that when that trust is built in to that company culture, then it's okay to laugh, it's okay to tell those jokes, it's okay to have that bit of levity in those hard moments.

0:13:11 - (Kate Davis): And it really does create that. That t barrel where everyone feels that they're a part of something and that they're special. Like, we all wanted to Be validated and loved when we were kids. One of my favorite stories when it comes to coming company culture and team morale is I heard this great story recently. It was on Facebook because I'm. I, you know, I'm on Facebook because I'm older. That's what my kids say anyway. But I.

0:13:40 - (Kate Davis): It was a great story, and it was about this German, very popular bakery, and this man, he was, like, asked in an interview, you know, you're so successful. What do you contribute that to? Contribute that to? And he said, people often ask me this. And he tells a story because he actually survived the Holocaust, and he was put on a train in the dead of winter with many, many people, many victims of the Holocaust.

0:14:12 - (Kate Davis): And there was this one old man there, and the old man was very popular in his town. And the old man was shivering because it was so cold, and it was a dead. A night, and there was no food for days, you know, and it was just like, the most horrific conditions. And he decided to help out the old man by rubbing his hands and his neck and his feet and his legs and his face and his chee. And. Well, I guess that would be faith. But he was just, like, keeping him warm all night. He did it all night long. And he, you know, he goes on to say, like, even the blood in his veins was cold at this point, but he just kept going.

0:14:50 - (Kate Davis): And when it became daylight, he looked around the train car, and he realized that everyone had passed away in the car from the cold except for him and the old man. So him being kind and keeping the old man warm and alive in return had kept him alive from getting hypothermia and passing away. And it was just a beautiful reminder that when we support each other, we support ourselves. And it really does have that energy about it where we really can, you know, make that connection, that conviction to each other that we really are going to be there. So company culture and team morale is really about supporting each other and lifting each other up, you know, whether it's a smaller idea or a funny moment and really engaging in those times.

0:15:46 - (Kate Davis): So I don't know. It was just a story. It just really resonated with me and made me feel like, yeah, like, it's. It's great to really be a part of a team and a part, you know, having that creative playfulness within that team and uplifting each other. Anyway. All right, guys, so I want to talk about, like, I had a question. How does levity and humor spark creativity? And I. I love this question because I'm Such a creative. I really do come from a comedy background and I am super creative, and I love those moments of creativity.

0:16:25 - (Kate Davis): But I always find if I'm super tense and like, and I'm not talking about just having a deadline because I actually work well with the pressure of, oh, I gotta get this done, because sometimes I'm so adhd, I'm sort all over the place. But if I have a deadline, I'm like, okay, it's got to be done by today. So I'm not talking about that, but I am talking about when we feel so stifled because of the pressure to get things right that we can't get anything right at all.

0:16:53 - (Kate Davis): And I really, playful thinking opens a mind to unconventional solutions, you know, so when we don't take ourselves so seriously, we can be more playful in discovering things that might, you know, really lend to a different approach or a different way of looking at it or a different perspective. So I find it. It can be actually a really great tool to spark creativity. And I, I often find, like, if I have writer's block, I'll be like, okay, I have to write this chunk. I'm. I'll give myself like two minutes to write down any idea, like just not thinking about it, not just writing it down, giving my, you know, at like a stop clock thing.

0:17:36 - (Kate Davis): And I find when I get to those moments where I feel a little stuck, being a bit more playful that way really does help. And I've said in the podcast before, I believe it was from the book Humor Seriously, that they asked two groups, they did a study, and they asked two groups in an advertising agency to come up with, you know, one group to come up with, you know, the best ideas they could think of. You know, you have one night come up with the best ideas, but they asked the other group to come up with the worst ideas.

0:18:06 - (Kate Davis): And the worst ideas didn't have that pressure. They didn't have that, you know, that real big sort of weight on their shoulders. So they were more playful and they came up with the better ideas. So levity really can, or not taking our. Taking our work seriously, but not taking ourselves too seriously really can spark that creativity and make us more playful, which is where all great ideas are born.

0:18:32 - (Kate Davis): You know, when we don't take ourselves so seriously, the truth is it allows us to take risks. It allows us to think differently, to communicate differently. And I've said this before, it makes us more receptive where all great ideas are born. You know, it also encourages risk taking a culture of humor, makes it safe to Experiment and fail, like I just said. And it breaks mental blocks. Laughter relaxes a brain. It makes it easier to generate ideas.

0:19:00 - (Kate Davis): So be more playful, have a little more fun. You know, there's. And especially as a leaders, there's nothing like laughing, especially at yourself. You might come up with the worst idea and think, oh my gosh, like, that is ridiculous. And then you might come up with like something, you know. I came up with a title recently, just called Mind over Laughter. And I thought, yeah, that's really playful. It's a lot of fun, you know, but it's because I was relaxed. And so often I have to say, like, if I go for a good walk or, you know, I'm doing, doing a little bike, spin, bike.

0:19:34 - (Kate Davis): I'm not that good at spin, but I do enjoy it because I just find I tend not to think about anything, that my mind starts to wander and then all of a sudden, you know, these great premises or ideas come up and I was like, ah, this is why. So it really can, you know, create or get rid of those mental blocks. And sometimes when I feel really stuck, let go. Like often I'll start with, I'll open with my closer, you know, just to switch things up to get over that, you know, those sort of mental blocks that. Or, or we, a lot of times we have a mental block because there's so much pressure to get it right.

0:20:08 - (Kate Davis): You know, we don't feel like we can be more playful and in ourselves. So it really does, it really does relax the brain, as I just said, and it makes it easier to generate ideas. Okay, one more question. Hold on. How do I create a great vibe at work? A CEO was sick of showing up to Monday innovation meetings and he said he felt like, it felt like a tax audit. So how do you change your Mondays to, you know, meetings or innovation meetings that feel like a tax audit to something a bit more, you know, fun, not so dry and safe, you know, and stuff like that.

0:20:48 - (Kate Davis): There's lots of ways to do it. And I don't want to talk about icebreakers. I find they can be a little bit like everyone's like, sort of eye rolly. Although I do love a good game. I'm very competitive and I find it can be a lot of fun. But, you know, a little game of rock paper, scissors can go a long way. Who's getting the coffee today? Rock, paper, scissors? I don't know, guys. There's a lot to be said for being a bit more playful and all those things. And humor doesn't kill your Credibility.

0:21:19 - (Kate Davis): It, it kicks the door open to innovation. You're not going to lose your sense of importance using humor. It's just. It's never going to happen. It makes you. It definitely gives you that advantage of making, you know, feeling like you're more confident and, and more authentic and relatable and all those things, because laughter really is, you know, it's. It's not a break from work. It's how great work begins.

0:21:48 - (Kate Davis): Oh, I love that quote. Laughter is not a break from work. It's how great work begins because it relaxes a brain, like we just said. And a creative brain is what is going to break through. It's what's going to, you know, make you different than your competition. There's also. Do you guys remember there's so much power and humor in terms of advertising as well. So really, if you want to make that difference with your client, you know, if everyone's selling, let's say, cyber security or cars, what's going to set you apart in those situations?

0:22:26 - (Kate Davis): There's a great Volkswagen. I don't know if you guys remember it. I might. I'm going to try and find the link to put it in. But it was an advertisement where this older woman and this young man pull up to a traffic light, right? And she sees her husband coming from behind, and she lowers the seat of the young man, and then the husband pulls up and they wave to each other. And then the wife drives away and pulls up the chair.

0:22:51 - (Kate Davis): But then the husband drives away and pulls up a chair and you see another man there. Anyway, it's a pretty funny commercial, and it made them feel like a really hip company and very diverse and all those things. So. Hi, it's Kate. I can't believe you made it halfway through the show. Look, if you or anyone you know would like to be a guest on Humor in the C Suite, I would love to have you. You. So email me. Kateaitdavis CA okay, guys, next question.

0:23:25 - (Kate Davis): How can humor help leaders navigate failure and setbacks? This is a great question. Honestly, I love this question because it encourages resilience, shifts perspective, and keeps teams motivated. It's okay to fail. Leaders who laugh at setbacks inspire perseverance. You know, I've been as a comic, as a speaker, I've been told no more times can I can tell you which makes it when I am told yes. So amazing.

0:23:59 - (Kate Davis): Like, honestly, there's great, you know, really encourages grit, resilience. It's okay. We didn't do that one. We'll get the next One we'll get, the next one we'll just keep going until we figure out what really lands, what really resonates. And when I say shifts perspective, humor helps reframe failures as learning experiences, you know, and that is really, there is so much power in that, you know, so it's not a failure. It's we learned from that. We're going to bring that to the next and we're doing. And I know so many leaders really want to work with people who have failed. You know, we. You don't want to invest in a business where it's a person's first business.

0:24:41 - (Kate Davis): No, you want to invest in their fourth or fifth try in their business because now know they know what they're doing. So enjoy, you know, this, I'm not saying enjoy the setbacks or the failures, but appreciate them for what they are and the learning tools that they really can be. And enlightening the mood prevents dis, discouragement and burnout. So if you keep that mood light, you know, when it doesn't quite work out, and I'm not saying we'll get them next time, but I'm sort of saying we'll get them next time.

0:25:11 - (Kate Davis): So enjoy those moments. You know, it really can, there's something to be said for that resiliency and that playfulness within those moments really can encourage people to try again and keep going, you know, because the next time might be the time that you really hit, you know, that goal or you know, that you come up with an idea that really going to resonate with clients that's going to set you apart, you know, to close that deal, to make that sale.

0:25:41 - (Kate Davis): So I think failure is so, so powerful in those. Mom 1. So that was a great question, you guys. I love it. I love it that you're reaching out. Okay, next one. How does humor contribute to innovation and creative problem solving? Okay, well, we talked about a bit of this, but it definitely sparks creativity, encourages risk taking and breaks mental blocks like I said before. So I, I feel like we've touched on that question before.

0:26:08 - (Kate Davis): You know, being playful, unconventional, a culture of humor can make it feel safe to experiment and to fail. We just talked about. And laughter, as we said before, it relaxes a brain and makes it easier to generate ideas. There's such a huge difference with me when I feel like I really can be myself and relaxed on stage. And not that I'm not nervous before or perform, of course, because I care about it and I want it to resonate with people, but I also feel like I'm at my best when I'm really relaxed.

0:26:43 - (Kate Davis): So there you go. Okay, last question. What? I know, but we're gonna do this. I feel like we should do this every few months anyway. Okay, last question. What are the risks of using humor and leadership and how can they be avoided? Okay, this is a great question. Number one, know your audience. Second, use humor sparingly like we said before. And number three, stay authentic. Be yourself. Don't try and be anyone that you're not, but really know your audience of you guys. Know, you know, if you've known someone for a long time and they get you and they know that, you know, you're not trying to, if you're, you know, have that sort of sarcastic sense of humor, whatever, like that's something that you know about someone so you don't think that they're, you know, not being nice or anything like that. So know your audience. You know, if it's someone you just met, you might want to, you know, come up with a little gentler joke or be more self deprecating and all those things. Or, you know, if you really know your team really well and you can all like get into it and razz each other because there's always that one person who you love to razz, then go for it. But it's really, know your audience, know what's going on.

0:27:56 - (Kate Davis): But it really can help. And there's lots of ways, like just have something funny in your email signature. You know, it doesn't, it doesn't have to be more complicated than that. So, okay, so, and how can they avoid it? So forced humor can be inauthentic and, and it can fire back. But you could, you know, put on a funny clip from something, you know, and, and start with your, you know, meetings or your day off that way.

0:28:24 - (Kate Davis): So there's lots of ways to be authentic and just say, I found this really funny instead of trying to be something that you're not, you know, or telling a joke that might land differently. And especially, you know, if you're a, and you know, your, your company is, has many businesses or plants or offices around the world, culture's going to be different in each country. I don't think the Nordic people are really laughing that hard, you know, at some crazy North American car joke. So, you know, know your audience and I, I think that's a huge deal. But when you are dealing with multicultural environments and stuff, do your research, but also take the risk. It's worth the risk. You can always say, sorry, I didn't mean you know, to offend you. That didn't land well or, or anything, but it is worth the risk.

0:29:17 - (Kate Davis): It's because it really does connect people. Just have fun with yourself. You know, we your leaders, but you're people. You're gonna get out of bed, you might trip over your slippers, you might spill, you know, that coffee or donut or breakfast on yourself. It's okay. You're allowed to. And then you're supposed to be all this like, oh, I'm together in the boardroom, it doesn't matter, you know, be yourself.

0:29:43 - (Kate Davis): I always put my jacket on backwards when I'm eating before I get. Because I always build stuff on me. So just have fun with knowing yourself and knowing as a leader, you don't have to be perfect. No one, no one is asking you to be perfect anymore. They just want you to be them. Be yourself and be relatable and really encourage your team to be themselves and bring that to the table. And that's where you're going to get resilience. That's where you're going to get innovation.

0:30:09 - (Kate Davis): That's where you're going to get creativity and curiosity and all those great things. And you're going to work well as a team in the good times, so in the bad times, you're ready for it. And humor really can be that X factor that brings all those into play. I've hoped you enjoyed this episode and send me an email, send me a LinkedIn message. I would love to hear more questions, more from you guys. I've really enjoyed this. We've some great guests coming up. I'm super excited.

0:30:41 - (Kate Davis): And thanks for listening to Humor in the Sea Speed Boom.