Humor, Seriously

Why Humor Is a Secret Weapon in Business and Life (And How Anyone Can Harness It. Even You.)

By: Jennifer Aaker, Naomi Bagdonas

Narrated by: Jennifer Aaker, Naomi Bagdonas, Michael Lewis

Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, and USA Today Best Seller

Anyone - even you! - can learn how to harness the power of humor in business (and life), based on the popular class at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business.

Don’t miss the authors’ TED Talk, “Why Great Leaders Take Humor Seriously", online now.

“The ultimate guide to using the magical power of funny as a tool for leadership and a force for good.” (Daniel H. Pink, number-one New York Times best-selling author of When and Drive)

We are living through a period of unprecedented uncertainty and upheaval in both our personal and professional lives. So it should come as a surprise to exactly no one that trust, human connection, and mental well-being are all on the decline.

This may seem like no laughing matter. Yet, the research shows that humor and laughter are among the most valuable tools we have at our disposal for strengthening bonds and relationships, diffusing stress and tension, boosting resilience, and performing when the stakes are high. 

That’s why Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas teach the popular course Humor: Serious Business at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where they help some of the world’s most hard-driving, blazer-wearing business minds infuse more humor and levity into their work and lives.

In Humor, Seriously, they draw on findings by behavioral scientists, world-class comedians, and inspiring business leaders to reveal how humor works and - more important - how you can use more of it, better.

Aaker and Bagdonas unpack the theory and application of humor: what makes something funny, how to mine your life for material, and simple ways to identify and leverage your unique humor style. They show how to use humor to rebuild vital connections; appear more confident, competent, and authentic at work; and foster cultures where levity and creativity can thrive.

President Dwight David Eisenhower once said, “A sense of humor is part of the art of leadership, of getting along with people, of getting things done.” If Dwight David Eisenhower, the second least naturally funny president (after Franklin Pierce), thought humor was necessary to win wars, build highways, and warn against the military-industrial complex, then you might consider learning it too.

©2020 Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Fresh, profound, and consistently entertaining. I know the words ‘evidence-based’ don’t immediately connote riotous laughter, but Aaker and Bagdonas bring some irresistibly compelling science to the art and application of humor.” (Kelly Leonard, executive vice president of The Second City)

“Of all the known ways to ruin humor, the most common start with the words ‘research,’ ‘analyze,’ and ‘professor.’ The bad news is that this book features all of those words. Prominently. The good news is that against all odds, you’ll actually have fun reading it.” (Adam Grant, New York Times best-selling author of Originals and Give and Take, and host of the TED podcast WorkLife)

“In this eye-opening, important and utterly enjoyable book, Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas use science to explain how humor at work (and in life) helps alleviate stress, anxiety, and burnout. Come for the humor, stay for the insights.” (Arianna Huffington, cofounder of The Huffington Post and CEO of Thrive Global) 

Muy aburrido para ser un libro de humor

los conceptos que predican son muy interesantes, sin embargo, el libro es lento y aburrido.
creo que es un buen ejemplo de un libro que pudo haber Sido un artículo.

life lessons

the lessons are wholly fun and lighthearted with a touch of laughter. I learned about how to avoid inappropriate humor.

SPIRITUALLY INSIGHTFUL

loved it.

the insights within this telling are just what I've been looking for. humor, life, love, empathy and many other concepts are all intertwined in just the perfect way. now I rise!!

Funny

This is a really good book. And I’m picky. You will learn, grow, and laugh.

Fantastic book

This is a terrific book. Fun (and funny!) to listen to, full of great ideas and inspiration for bringing more humor and joy into work and daily life. Bringing these ideas and mindset to work has made the last few weeks so much more enjoyable already. Love it!

Loved this listen style and powerful content

The authors narrate and bring their own brilliance and humor to the tone in which the written word was meant. The book structure is clear and memorable which makes it great for work book club. I assigned it to my team, and we had a dialogue around its research and themes. And we discussed how we currently use humor at work and what we want to stop-start-continue as individuals. I love it when science meets humanity.

Excellent and entertaining!

I started this book during a tough time for comic relief. It is so delightful and it’s helping me implement real changes at work too!

Different and useful

This book has helped me in my business and professional life. Great way to communicate in all settings.

Informative

Really liked the informative parts of the book! Did not enjoy that some unneeded topics/opinions were included though, but that’s the beautiful part of capitalism and living in a country with true freedom of speech!

Okay for serious work people ... hard to listen to

This book might help people who work is really serious work environments. For me, the more scientific information regarding different styles of humor was interesting but the rest of the book felt like common sense scenarios. I might have been a little turned off by the readers as their voices were sing-songy and felt like someone giving a book report. There was also a lot of vocal fry that made it hard to listen to. That's just me though!