What Employees Really Want from Leaders: Humor

September 28, 2025

Adam Christing

Keynote Speaker | Emcee | Humor Expert

CEOWorld Magazine

Sep 28, 2025

Too many leaders think they need to constantly present themselves as intellectuals or experts. Don’t fall into that trap. Want to see how lonely that path can be? Do a Google image search and look at the portraits of the twenty-eight greatest philosophers, according to Oxford University Press. They’re some of the saddest, loneliest faces you’ll ever see!

You might be an introvert. That’s OK. But don’t be an isolator.  Brainiac loners rarely make great leaders. Your team doesn’t need you to prove your brilliance. They’ll be drawn to your warmth, wit, and wisdom—in that order.

The shortest course on human relations is found in just two words in E. M. Forster’s Howards End: Only connect. Humor allows you to do just that, and it’s way more fun than writing the 337th Amazon book on stoicism.

Dr. Patch Adams said, “Happiness is the most radical act.” And he was right—especially when it comes to bonding with your team. Being a leader is like being a doctor—but don’t try explaining that to HR.

Patch knew that humor is vital for healing—not just for patients but also for those who care for them. In a world filled with stress and exhaustion, laughter rejuvenates our hearts.

As a leader, you never want to act childish; however, embracing a “childlike” sense of humor helps your team to avoid burnout. Enjoy yourself. A good laugh is like pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del on your group’s stress levels.

Laughter lightens your load, boosts your mood, and spreads joy like free donuts. And put this sticky note on your mirror:

Humor isn’t just for them—it’s for me, too.

Crowd Work

As an interactive speaker and host, I love to engage in what comedians call “crowd work.” But here’s the thing: I never see an audience as a “crowd.” To me, every audience member is a friend. There are three things I’ve discovered about building community quickly—whether you’re leading, speaking, hosting, or presenting:

• Proximity – Get close to people. Step off the platform. Connection happens when you’re physically near them.
• Participation – Involve them. People can’t be bored when you make them part of the action! Yes, being funny helps. But again, you don’t have to be a standup. Just help everyone have fun.
• Personalization – Greet people by name. Remember their faces. Make it conversational. A common mistake I see newbie speakers make is that they focus so much on content, content, content—but what we’re really after is connection. And since you’ve read this far . . . here’s an extra key for you:
• Purpose – Remember the mission of your meeting. Invite people into that purpose—it’s what unites everyone.

How might you connect with your “crowd” to build community? Here’s an easy way.

Icebreakers

In the past three decades of my career inspiring laughter and life change, I have learned the power of warming up a group. Whether you are hosting an event, stepping up as a guest speaker, or serving as the master of ceremonies, a great icebreaker can transform the energy in a room (even a Zoom room). Here are three tips for awesome icebreakers:

• Make it fun. Start with something that gets a laugh or a smile—humor is the fastest way to warm people up.
• Make it interactive. Get everyone involved. Icebreakers aren’t about information; they’re about engagement. Ask a fun question like, “What’s the one movie you’ve watched more than any other flick?”
• Make it about them. Focus on your listeners. Skip stories about yourself; ask questions and create moments that highlight their experiences. Invite people to share.

A good icebreaker isn’t about the content you share—it’s about connecting with your audience. You want to set a warm and relational tone for your meeting, and celebrate your people! Here’s how:

• Break the tension. A well-timed joke or icebreaker can turn awkward silence into social glue. (“Hey, we have challenges . . . but we also have snacks.”)
• Encourage real talk. Ask for feedback and listen—without sending anyone to “timeout.”
• Share the spotlight. Hear and highlight your team’s ideas and let them take charge.
• Why does it matter? One study from Oxford University suggests workplaces that foster fun and humor see up to a 30 percent increase in productivity (and creativity!).

People who share humor feel more . . . human.

Here’s how to make the shift:

• Stop trying to be “the boss,” and use humor to connect in playful ways. Your team may work harder, and they will trust you more.
• Ask yourself, Am I building a culture of connection—or fear?
• Lead with laughter and watch your team thrive.

Entertain to Empower

Levity lifts. You really don’t have to put on a Vegas show to bring way more fun to work and relationships. The goal isn’t to get a standing ovation (though if that happens, soak it up); it’s really about making those around you feel at ease.

Ask yourself, “How can I bring a little laughter to this situation?” Maybe it’s kicking off a staff meeting with a joke about your previous job: “I used to sell home security systems. It was so easy. I went door to door. If the customer wasn’t home, I’d just leave my brochure on their kitchen table.”

It’s true. Your people will like you more if you invite them to laugh.

Leaders serve. So, dish up some fun! When you help your team laugh through difficult times, you help them feel superior to challenges. Good times, experienced together, become core to a culture of staying connected.

Humor works like rubber cement for leaders—it glues your group together. You are more persuasive when you are more playful. Feel-good humor builds trust. Weave laughter into your leadership. Your team will thank you for it.