The Skill of Humor

Six years ago, I found myself in New York City, surrounded by friends, when a surprising notification popped up on my phone. It turned out to be a text message from my 78-year-old grandmother, someone I'd never expected to receive a text from. Her first text was endearing, reading, "Dear Andrew, trying out texting. Love, your grandma." It was as if she thought texting was just another form of letter writing. I responded by saying, "Hey grandma, it's a text. You don't have to include all that." Her next message read, "Dear Andrew, Okay. Love, your grandma." Her consistent sign-off as "Love, your grandma" made me chuckle. If it had been just "Love, grandma," I might have been puzzled, and if it included specific details, like, "Dear Andrew, have a good time in Texas. Love, grandma," I might have questioned who this grandma was.

My grandmother was still navigating the world of text messaging, and it was evident a couple of years later when I sent her a message after returning from a trip to Switzerland. I said, "Hey grandma, just got back from Switzerland." Her reply was a bemusing, "Dear Andrew, Switzerland? WTF." I had to call her to explain what "WTF" meant, and she told me that someone at her bridge club had told her it stood for "Wow, That's Fun." It was a reminder that my grandmother was always looking at the bright side of things.

In 2012, I took a significant leap in my life by leaving my corporate job at Procter and Gamble to teach people the value of humor. Over the years, I've worked with more than 35,000 individuals at over 250 organizations, teaching them how to be more productive, less stressed, and happier through the use of humor. When people hear what I do, they often express skepticism, thinking of humor as a nice-to-have rather than a must-have in their lives. However, I've come to understand that humor is indeed a necessity, especially in today's stress-filled and overworked culture.

Humor offers numerous benefits, such as improving communication, memory retention, and learning, enhancing group cohesion, reducing conflicts, building trust, and bringing people closer together. And all of these benefits are backed by research, case studies, and real-world examples. Notably, humor can even lead to increased earnings, as people who use humor tend to be paid more.

While some may be intimidated by the idea of using humor, it's essential to recognize that humor is a skill that can be learned. I'm a prime example of this. I've performed over a thousand shows as a stand-up comedian, improviser, storyteller, and spoken word artist, traveled to all 50 states, 18 countries, and earned fans worldwide. Yet, growing up, I wasn't the life of the party or the class clown. I was more of a self-professed nerd, with a degree in computer science and engineering from The Ohio State University and a corporate job at Procter & Gamble. However, I learned that personality assessments don't define us; our actions do.

My journey into humor began in college when my best friend convinced me to join an improv comedy group. We started with no idea of what we were doing, but through practice and repetition, we improved. It's through these experiences that I learned humor is a skill that can be developed by anyone.

People often wonder if they're funny or fear the possibility of an awkward silence when attempting humor. It's important to understand that humor doesn't replace the work but enhances it. It's like the salt in a meal; too much can be overwhelming, but the right amount can make everything more enjoyable. And if you're concerned about not being taken seriously, remember that job satisfaction, outlook, and how you manage stress are largely within your control.

In essence, the skill of humor starts with sharing your point of view, exploring and heightening that point of view, practicing and repeating. It's something anyone can learn and incorporate into their lives. And, as my grandmother's charming and amusing texts on Facebook show, humor can be enjoyed and appreciated by people of all ages.

In conclusion, whether you're new to humor or a seasoned comedian, the power of laughter and humor should not be underestimated. It's a tool for connection, communication, and personal well-being that can bring joy and brightness to even the most challenging aspects of life. So, remember to look at the world with a "Wow, that's fun" perspective, just like my grandmother.