It’s about understanding the human condition and using humour, humility, and a light touch to connect with people on a deeper level.
Out latest guest on The Humourology Podcast understands exactly how humour and humanity go hand in hand. Helena Kennedy is a member of the House of Lords, a barrister, and a champion of human rights. For Helena, humour is the key to provide hope to humanity through the difficult times.
“I do think that it’s a strand of our humaneness, that we, in order to deal with the hard stuff, reach for humour to kind of live in it.”
Helena shared her stories from the court room and from her fight for human rights on an international level to show just how vital laughter can be to uplift those around you. Much to the heart of Humourology, Helena knows that humour can bring people together in the fight for human rights.
“We’re talking about the bonding thing that humour can create, and cross divides…By taking the leap into it, you then break down so many barriers.”
Helena’s insights provide the perfect introduction to what lies at the heart of Humourology, human connection and hope. Laughter and the light of human life.
In any business or vocation, relationships are everything. Strong relationships lead to better communication, increased collaboration, and improved productivity. And ultimately, it’s these factors that lead to business success.
Research has shown that businesses with good communication and relationship models are more successful than those that don’t prioritise these factors.
According to a study by Deloitte, companies with a “highly-engaged workforce” outperform those with a “low-engaged workforce” by 147% in earnings per share. Similarly, a study by Gallup found that companies with strong employee engagement outperformed their peers by 10% in customer ratings and 22% in profitability.
So how does Humourology fit into this equation? The answer lies in the human connection. When we use humour and humility to connect with others, we are able to build trust and rapport more easily. When we approach others with a light touch, we are able to break down barriers and create a more open and collaborative environment.
At the heart of Humourology is the belief that good humour is not just about being funny. It’s about being human. It’s about having the empathy and emotional intelligence to connect with people on a deeper level. It’s about being able to read the room and adapt your communication style to fit the situation.
In the context of business, this means approaching meetings, negotiations, and other interactions with a sense of openness and humility. It means being able to laugh at yourself and not taking yourself too seriously. It means being able to find the humour in difficult situations, without making light of them.
Ultimately, Humourology is about building strong relationships that lead to business success. It’s about using humour, humility, and a light touch to connect with people on a deeper level. When we approach business interactions with a sense of humanity and good humour, we can create a more positive, productive, and fulfilling workplace environment.
The essence of Humourology is not just about telling jokes or being funny. It’s about something much deeper: humanity, humility, and good humour. By using these qualities to connect with others, we can build strong relationships that lead to business success. So, the next time you’re in a meeting or negotiation, remember to approach the situation with a light touch and a sense of humility. You might just be surprised at the results.
See you next Tuesday.
Warmest,
Paul x
