Jennifer Aaker

I wanted to learn more about how to be funnier in a business context and this book was exactly what I was looking for. The authors are a researcher and a coach and together they teach a course about how to use humour at the workplace. They pepper the book with examples from working comedians and executives and lay out easy to follow ways to understand your humour style and things to look for to develop that. In a nutshell, don't try to be a comedian. Be observant and use that to pump up your show more humour. This book has earned a place in my bookshelf of tools useful for building a creative workplace. show less

Great thoughtful exploration of the place of humor in business and other relationships, the opportunities and the gotchas, dos and don'ts, etc. This won't turn you into the office comic genius, but it will give you lots to think about in terms of how and when various different kinds of humor can help (or hurt) you at the office (and elsewhere).

At the beginning of the book you can get to know type humor style you fall into using a set of online questions. It is informative and gets straight-to-the-point that truthfulness is the key to humor. You're humorous because you find the (hidden) truth in our everyday activities.

It's witty nature kept me captured through all the chapters. It also provides an insight into how much effort is put by all those stand up comedians - read your crowd, understand your audience and "go to the edge, show more but be cautious not cross the line".

A college senior of mine had made a similar statement quite a few years ago - Mr. Humor usually doesn't get fired from the company. This book proves that with a good amount of documentation and research. show less

Working professionals have fallen off a humor cliff. In fact, around the time we enter the workforce, the number of times we laugh and smile on an average day statistically starts to plummet.

And yet, research shows that humor is one of the most powerful tools we have for accomplishing serious work. Studies reveal that humor makes us appear more competent and confident, strengthens relationships, unlocks creativity, and boosts our resilience during difficult times. Plus, it fends off a show more permanent and unsightly frown known as "resting boss face".

Top executives are in on the secret: 98 percent prefer employees with a sense of humor, and 84 percent believe that these employees do better work. But even for those who intuitively understand humor's power, few know how to wield it with intention. As a result, humor is vastly underleveraged in most workplaces today, impacting our performance, relationships, and health.

Thank you Goodreads and Random House Book Club for a chance to read Humor, Seriously Why Humor is a Secret Weapon in Business and Life by Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas!

Even though you see the word humor in the title this is not a funny book. But I think it was meant to show us that humor in the business world can make it more productive. When dealing with customers, making a deal or just dealing with your employees. It is more a how to and why it should be done book. But it was still an ok read.

“Comedy is simply a funny way of being serious”

Happy reading everyone! show less