Humor in Business

Why Laughter Is the Secret Ingredient to Success

Working is serious business. Meetings, KPIs, deadlines – the full program. And of course, always with a serious look on your face to make sure no one gets the idea that you’re anything less than ultra-professional. But what if we told you that your next big career move won’t come from your Excel spreadsheet, but from your ability to use humor... at the right moment of course! That a well-timed joke could have a greater impact than your perfectly optimized PowerPoint presentation? Humor in business sounds like a joke? Then read on – and try not to smile.

Why Humor Is Still Underestimated in Business

Many companies still believe that seriousness equals competence. The classic businessperson presents themselves as stiff, reserved, and in full control of the appropriate jargon – just to avoid giving the impression they might have actual feelings. But beware: studies show that humor not only makes people more likeable, but also significantly boosts collaboration, creativity, and productivity.

The irony? Companies advertise "flat hierarchies" and "open communication cultures," yet in meetings you’ll often find people too afraid to crack a joke – worried they won’t be taken seriously. But that’s the mistake: those who use humor strategically win. Not just internally, but with customers, partners, and potential new talent.

The Science Behind Humor: Laughter as a Business Boost

Laughter is more than a spontaneous reaction to a funny line. It sets off a whole cascade of positive effects :

Stress reduction: Laughter has been proven to lower cortisol levels and promote relaxation – a natural antidote to that ever-popular workplace burnout.
Creativity boost: People who laugh think more freely. Their brains are no longer in “survival mode,” and are open to new ideas.
The likability factor: Those who use humor are more memorable. Customers prefer working with people who are not only competent but also pleasant and fun to interact with.
Tolerance for mistakes: Companies that allow humor build cultures where mistakes are not seen as disasters, but as opportunities to learn.

Simple Guidelines for Using Humor Successfully at Work

Good workplace humor is inclusive, positive, and helps to build connections among team members. It can take the form of light-hearted banter, playful teasing (when done respectfully), or shared inside jokes that reinforce team identity.

Here are some basic rules for successful humor in business:

Self-deprecation instead of mockery
If you can laugh at yourself, you show strength. If you regularly make others the butt of the joke, you come across as unpleasant and destructive. If you can laugh at yourself it shows you can forgive yourself, and if you can forgive yourself you can forgive others.
Know your context
A relaxed remark in a team meeting? Great. A risky joke during a board presentation that lands flat? Not so great. Humor needs to fit the moment.
Dose wisely
A playful wink can work wonders. But if you constantly play the clown, you may risk not being taken seriously at all... it’s all about the dosage and the right timing.

Leading Companies Use Humor on Purpose

If you think humor at work is only for relaxed start-ups, think again. Some of the world’s most successful companies deliberately use humor – not just in marketing, but at the core of their company culture.

Google & Co.: Creativity and open work environments are supported through playfulness – and it pays off.
Southwest Airlines: The airline is known for humorous communication, whether in safety briefings or customer service. The result? A fiercely loyal customer base.
Elon Musk: Whatever you think of him, his humorous – sometimes borderline – communication style sets him apart and ensures that Tesla and SpaceX never disappear from the headlines.

Conclusion: More Humor = More Success

The next time you're in a meeting where the tension is thick enough to cut with a knife, ask yourself: How much more productive could we be if we approached this with a different perspective? Companies that strategically use humor tend to have not only happier employees, but also more successful business models.

So go for it. Your next major business breakthrough might be hiding where you least expect it: in a good laugh.

Discover the Power of Humor in Business

Want to learn how to use humor effectively in your communication and company culture? Let’s work together to find ways you can appear more convincing, authentic, and successful through humor.

Say goodbye to painfully serious meetings and colorless workdays – bring momentum and lightness into your professional life.