Being Funny Is Serious Business

Laughter Is a Leadership Superpower

Let’s be real—who doesn’t want to laugh more? Laughter is the easiest and most universal form of human connection, a built-in stress reliever, and a way to make any situation feel lighter. But when it comes to leadership, humor isn’t just a “nice to have.” It’s a tool, a strategy, and—when used wisely—a leadership superpower.

Think about the leaders you’ve worked with, the ones who made an impact. Chances are, the ones you remember most weren’t just brilliant at their jobs—they were the ones who could make the room feel at ease, who used humor to bring energy to tough conversations, and who made long days feel a little bit shorter. People remember who made them laugh. They also trust them more.

But here’s the catch: laughter only builds trust when it includes people, never when it isolates them. If you want humor to work for you as a leader, it has to be laugh with, not at. When teams have high levels of trust, humor becomes a source of resilience and well-being. But when humor is used at someone’s expense—whether in the form of gossip, exclusion, or passive-aggressive jokes—it erodes trust faster than just about anything else.

The Science of Funny

Humor is more than a feel-good moment; it’s a neurological advantage. Studies show that laughter releases endorphins, lowers stress hormones, and even strengthens the immune system. More than that, humor increases memory retention—meaning that the things you say with humor are far more likely to stick with people than the things you say without it.

And there’s a reason kids laugh an average of 300 times per day while adults laugh only about 17 times. As we get older, we get weighed down by responsibilities, deadlines, and the unrelenting pressure to be “serious.” But humor is one of the most underutilized tools in professional spaces. It doesn’t just make people feel good—it makes people better communicators, better decision-makers, and better leaders.

When to Be Funny (And When Not to Be)

Humor is one of the best ways to make people feel comfortable, but it’s also one of the fastest ways to make people uncomfortable if it’s not used well. As a baseline, remember that being yourself is the starting point.

The good news? You don’t have to be laugh-out-loud funny to use humor well. Humor can be as simple as a small, well-placed observation. It can be irony, wit, or the willingness to smile when you connect with others. It can be a lighthearted story, a self-deprecating joke about something minor, or a delightful aha moment where the world seems a little less serious.

The key is knowing your audience. Some workplaces thrive on humor and inside jokes; others require a more reserved approach. What matters most is reading the room and never forcing it. Great leaders don’t try to “be funny.” They use humor naturally, with the right timing and in the right situations.

OK, Let’s Play: Laugh With, Not At

Laughter isn’t just about entertainment—it’s about connection, well-being, and perspective. The more intentional you are about incorporating humor into your daily life, the more it will become a natural part of your leadership presence.

Ready: Start by observing how much laughter happens in your day. How often do you laugh? How much lightness do you bring into your conversations?

Set: Identify the people and situations that make you feel lighter. Who uplifts you? Who uses humor in a way that draws you in and makes you feel included?

Go: Take action to bring more humor into your daily life. Here are four ways to start:

• Watch or attend something funny. Go to a comedy show, watch a stand-up special, or revisit a favorite sitcom that makes you laugh. Observe how humor is structured and delivered.
• Think about your best work stories. What’s a moment in your career where humor played a role? Reflect on the appropriate, lighthearted moments that helped a team get through a challenge. 
• Get together with friends and tell stories. Notice how laughter is contagious in a group setting. What kinds of stories naturally get people engaged? 
• Shift your perspective. Humor isn’t about being a comedian—it’s about seeing the light side of things. Train yourself to notice small, funny moments in daily life.
  
  

Laugh All the Way

If leadership is about inspiring others, humor is one of the most magnetic ways to do it. A leader with a good sense of humor makes people feel at ease, opens up better conversations, and creates a workplace that people want to be part of.

And the best part? This isn’t about becoming the funniest person in the room. It’s about bringing warmth, perspective, and levity to the work you do. Laughter doesn’t just make life more enjoyable—it makes you a better leader. So don’t take it lightly. After all, being funny is serious business.
---


Hey there! I’m Blair Bloomston, author of UPLIFTED WEEKLY and your friendly consultant, facilitator, and game-based educator on-call, bringing a passion and penchant for all things play (I’m also alliteratively all-in). As the founder of Leaders Uplifted, I help leaders like you tap into creativity, connection, and confidence to make work feel less like a grind and more like a game. Keep reading with me— I’m here to be your business best friend. Let's go!