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) 

It gives me several good laughs, but that’s about it.

Personal opinion only. Half through the book, I noticed myself struggle to pay attention. I bought this book expecting practical advices on how to add humor into my day-to-day life, especially at work. Written by professors from a prestigious university, this book did not deliver what it seems to promise. Despite the reading performance was on spot most of the time, the content is simply written for an exclusive audience, not the general public. Here’s why:
- The first few chapters attempt to explain at length why humor is important and it really works if you play it right. It may seem to be a natural opening but the whole time I was listening, I was wondering does the author think the readers are completely ignorant about the importance of humor? If they bought the book, it’s because they already believe in the concept. You already have their buy-in. Repeating again and again how useful humor can be does not add true value to your readers.
- After the initial chapters, the writers seems to be very zoomed in the world of senior executives and CEOs. Most of the examples illustrated how adding humor to your leadership will make you a better leader. It might be valuable to people who already has the prestige in their environment to struck random humor in front of people they manage. After all, would you call out or really laugh at your CEO if he makes a bad joke? Of course not. Another example show cased an employee’s call back jokes with her manager. What struck me that the authors failed to acknowledge that of the manager and that employee already has a relationship to talk about her hair style comfortably, it lowers the bar of trying to be funny significantly. Context matters!
- Most (not all) theories these examples only apply in a vacuum, where the dynamic is already set up or the report is already built. You are naturally at the place to be funny because you have the psychological safety. Most people who work in a flat (aka not funny) environment, not Google, not Apple, not Slack, the breakthrough is building that psychological safety in a team, not thinking about what joke you can tell.
- Many of the conclusions and arguments and the joke attempts are quite forced. Maybe it’s because my lack of humor, which explains why I’m after this book. Just not inspired.

Not worth your time or money

This text caught my attention in an airport so naturally I went to audible for portability...what a disappointment. You'd think this would help you in business, but the whole of the book can be summarized as: Humor makes us human and likeable. There is no further content of any use, just the authors sounding desperate to be published.

Worst way to understand humor

Keep talking about humor’s importance in the most boring way possible. Authors should go back to standard business topics and not waste readers time

Regret the purchase

The major flaw of the book is its Weird/American psychology flavor, since it cites mainly research conducted on American undergraduate students and business employees living in an individualistic country. The main target seems to be the suffering Dilberts in worldwide companies following American management recipes. The fun tone added to narration did not work for me; I found it annoying. Many bland examples and little theory. I regret losing my time on this book.

A Serious Look at Humor

I very much enjoyed listening to this book. I made it through in less than two days because I didn't want to stop listening to what the authors had to say. That their words and ideas were backed by research is a real bonus.
I think there are many words of wisdom in this audiobook that benefited me and could benefit pretty much everyone else.

Surprisingly Enlightening

This work was a bit of a surprise. While I had an inkling of the items they might cover, learned a lot about the topic and was able to relate it over my careers. The choice of the authors as narrators was brilliant as it was not like it was being read, but being told as a narrative type story. A real joy and I am so glad I got it.

This book will entertain, engage, and educate you

I devoured Humor, Seriously, in nearly one sitting. (Okay I was recovering from an Appendectomy… So I couldn’t do much more than sit.) This book is fantastic.

Aaker and Bagdonas beautifully weave together solid research, actionable strategies, and clever illustrations to create this tapestry of humor’s value. It’s not simply “fun and games” but a compelling argument for mastering and applying humor in business.

They truly welcome you into their powerful partnership through their personal narration. Very well worth a listen.

JD Schramm, author Communicate with Mastery

boring

I could barely get through this book, where valley girls try to explain humor in the work force..not remotely funny.

Unexpected and valuable

It almost sounds like I’m trying to write a pun, when I say that this book and it’s message was unexpected, but it truly was more than what I was expecting.
Humor in life, our relationships - both personal and professional - pays an important role and many of us don’t know where to start.
I look forward to working hard at being more funny!

It's OK

We read this as a group at work. Many struggled to get through it. It's mostly common sense. Yes, humor in the workplace is really important and creates an atmosphere that's comfortable for everyone, but unless you have no humor or inappropriate humor and really need some intense guidance and intervention, you can probably skip this one. My reading time is precious and not what I would have chosen. Much better workplace books out there.