The sub-heading to this book title is ‘Why humour is a superpower at work and in life’, but it’s not advocating memorising a bunch of knock-knock jokes and starting every team meeting off with a five minute stand-up routine. Thank goodness.

 

It’s a really accessible, easy-to-read book about being open to moments of levity at work and creating an environment and working style where joy and humour has the chance to blossom. 

 

There’s a breakdown of different types of humour and a chance to consider your own humour style. There are also plenty of real-life examples of humour at work in action. From the extreme, a pranking culture where a VW Beetle was taken apart and rebuilt in the CEO’s office, to simple ways to bring humanity into your work communication to create opportunities for connection and fun.

 

I particularly enjoyed the section on when humour can go wrong. I think this would be a particularly valuable read for leaders who are used to having a teasing or banter-filled relationship with co-workers before promotion and then need to figure out how the boundaries change when they become more senior and how to avoid losing that part of who they are or unintentionally offending people. Banter and teasing can easily become bullying if you don’t take the power dynamic into account.

 

A highly recommended read.