Once upon my late 20's, I was sitting at an Improv show in Denver and had that thought... I could do that! Little did I know that decision would transform not just my evenings but my entire approach to leadership.
From there, I spent a few years in classes and on stage at a couple of small theaters in the Denver area. (And oh! What I would give to have that 20-something energy again - working full-time, performing downtown, and then somehow still having the energy to socialize until all hours at least five nights a week!)
But here's the unexpected plot twist:
Those late nights of saying "yes, and..." taught me more about leadership than any management book ever could. Improv didn't just make me funnier - it made me a better leader in two crucial ways:
First, it taught me the art of truly listening and validating others' perspectives. In improv, if you're planning your next line instead of listening to your scene partner, the whole thing falls apart. Sound familiar, fellow leaders?
Second, and most surprisingly, it revealed the transformative power of appropriate humor in leadership. Sure, we've all heard "laughter is the best medicine," but in leadership? It's rocket fuel for team connection.
This week's Leadership Code Word is HUMOR.
It's time to challenge the notion that serious work requires serious faces all the time.
Here's why the best leaders embrace appropriate humor:
🎯 The Leadership Magic of Laughter
- Creates psychological safety (people trust leaders who make them laugh)
- Reduces workplace stress (hello, better productivity!)
- Makes messages memorable (bye-bye, boring meetings)
Think about your favorite leaders. I bet you remember the ones who made you laugh. The boss with the endless dad jokes about his “Saab story” because his car was always in the shop, the director whose eyes twinkled with subtle wit when he landed a joke no one noticed, the colleague whose laugh echoed down the hallway - we remember them because they made us feel connected.
But I can hear some of you now: "That's great, but I'm not funny."
Here's the secret - leadership humor isn't only about telling jokes or doing standup. It's about embracing our shared humanity and the delightful absurdity of work life.
Let me share a story that perfectly illustrates this...
Picture me, the brand new leader in the office trying to be a healthy professional, making one of those fancy bagged salads in the break room. One wrong turn later - SPLAT! The entire thing's upside down on the carpet. (That oil stain is probably still there!) Instead of hiding my klutziness, I shared it. Soon, everyone felt comfortable sharing their "human moments" - from walking into doors to those awkward, “I can’t believe I called the same person back twice” situations.
That's real leadership humor - not rehearsed jokes, but authentic moments that remind us we're all human.
Want to bring more light to your leadership? Try these approaches:
🌟 Humor Leadership in Action
- Share your own "oops" moments openly
- Find the lighter side of workplace challenges
- Create space for natural, appropriate laughter
- Lead with authenticity over perfection
In today's high-pressure public sector environment, your willingness to find humor in challenges sets the tone for your entire team. When you can laugh at the coffee maker's daily rebellion or that agency-wide email that went to reply-all instead of just the intended person, you give your team permission to stay positive, too.
The best part? This leadership superpower is already within you. You don't need to become a comedian - you simply need to be willing to let your human side show.
Ready to level up your leadership beyond just bringing more humor?
Through my 20+ years in public sector leadership, I've identified the 7 Leadership Mistakes that Destroy Confidence as a Public Sector Manager - and compiled proven solutions for each one.
Remember: Your team doesn't need you to be perfect. They need you to be real.
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