Are You Laughing? Part III

I hope your weekend is going great! 

Here’s the third post in our series on the importance of laughter in our lives.   Here’s part one.  Here’s part two.

Part Three

Heidi Goff, President and Managing Director of The Americas for Hypercom Corporation, and my boss when I was a director at MasterCard in the mid 1990s, has the ability to get the most out of a business meeting.  Heidi does all that you might expect from a successful senior executive—she’s clear on the focus of her meetings, she communicates what’s expected of everyone, and she listens carefully and speaks with purpose. 

Heidi also has the unique ability to inject humor so that people stay relaxed, creative and open-minded.  She knows when a good laugh or light-hearted comment will release tension in the room.

“In my own research with executives,” says Dachter Keltner in his book, Born to Be Good, “laughter early in negotiations—the product of break-the-ice banter about families, travel mishaps, hotel rooms, golf games, and the like—sets the stage for mutually beneficial bargaining.” 

Humor is good for business.

This week: 

Take a moment to think about your business or organization.  How could you inject some more humor into your relationships with your customers, suppliers, partners, and coworkers? 

As always, let me know how you’re doing when you have time.  And remember to share your stories with me.

Best to you,

David

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David J. Pollay is the creator of The Law of the Garbage Truck™.  He is a syndicated columnist with the North Star Writers Group, creator and host of The Happiness Answer™ television program, and an internationally sought after speaker.  David’s book, The Law of the Garbage Truck™, is due out next year.  You can find out about the No Garbage Trucks! mission at www.thelawofthegarbagetruck.com.

David holds a master’s degree of applied positive psychology (M.A.P.P.) from the University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Yale University.  He is the founding associate executive director of the International Positive Psychology Association.

Comments

[David J. Pollay]

Hi Lil,

It's always great to hear from you. Your husband sounds great. He has a gift. And he is fortunate that you appreciate him so much.

Have a great week!

David

[Lil]

Hi David, I know the importance of laughter in my life. My husband has the greatest sense of humor; sometimes it is off-putting, but he can always break the ice in situations with friends, family or associates. I have a lot to learn. He is my mentor. Thanks for your insight, knowledge, skill, and creativity in presenting your point of view on "laughter" in our lives. lil