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Most of us would agree that having humor in our lives increases rapport, strengthensour relationships and overcomes communication barriers. People who work in apositive, often playful environment are more likely to stay. Productivity andcreativity increase while stress is reduced. We just feel better after a good laugh.Think funny!
1. Open with a humorous story. . I remember the time the lights when out and I felloff the stage. I wasnÂ't hurt and quickly said, Now I will take questions from thefloor. IÂ'm at my best when taking questions in the dark. Before you can be funny,you must learn to see funny. Find the humor around you, in your life every day. Thelady who takes an aisle seat rather tan sit next to the window . . . doesnÂ't want tomess up her hair. Practice telling the story out loud, and cut out any parts thataren't crucial. As Shakespeare so wisely said, "Brevity is the soul of wit."
2. Use props (candy bars, hats, funny faces, etc.) Props can be used as a metaphoror an analogy for a point you are introducing. They get your creative juices workingwhile providing an anchor for your audience to focus on.
3. Cartoons use your own or others a picture saves a 1000 words. Put cartoons on anoverhead or use as part of a PowerPoint presentation.
4. Humor - should be relevant to your topic. Tom Peters said, I deeply believe inhumor; not in jokes. Humor is spectacular. Humor relieves anxiety and tension,serves as outlet for hostility and anger, and provides a healthy escape fromreality. It lightens heaviness related to critical illness, trauma, disfigurement,and death. It comes as no surprise that many people are utilizing humor to deal withthe trying times. But is the humor timely? Is it appropriate?
Do not use ethnic, racist, political or religious jokes. Include a joke that helpsbring back the attention of the audience or as a way to lighten up your remarks. Weall can use a good laugh from a well timed, funny joke.
5. Self effacing humor- it is better to admit you made a mistake than to admit thatyou are one. One of my lines as a mother of five is: For someone who isnÂ't Catholic,I sure did my share for the pope! Phyllis Diller is in the Guinness Book of WorldRecords as having the most laughs per minute. A laugh is measured by:
Group exercise a fun way to conclude your presentation is to use a group exercise.Use the football huddle to get the group to repeat a cheer or an affirmation totake some action.
