223. Laughing Matters: Levity, Leadership, and Lasting Connection

223. Laughing Matters: Levity, Leadership, and Lasting Connection

By lightening up your communication, you can build serious connections.


Humor in communication isn’t all fun and games. According to Alison Wood Brooks and Naomi Bagdonas, levity is one of the most serious tools we have in building successful connections.

Wood Brooks and Bagdonas, both teachers, authors, and experts in the field of communication, recognize how crucial levity is to our professional and personal interactions. “It’s easy to think of [humor] as this extra bonus thing,” says Wood Brooks. “What we find is it’s incredibly core to how people are relating to each other.” Bagdonas agrees: “When there's the presence of laughter in team meetings, those teams are more successful and more creative. Leaders with a sense of humor—not even a good sense of humor—are seen as more motivating, more admired, [and] their teams report being more engaged.”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Wood Brooks and Bagdonas join host Matt Abrahams to explore levity as a mindset, or as Bagdonas puts it, “Navigating life on the precipice of a smile.” Together, they share how lightness and humor can break barriers, bridge connections, and unlock the door to better communication.

To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium.

Episode Reference Links:

Connect:


Chapters:

  • (00:00) - Introduction
  • (03:27) - Talk Tour Insights
  • (04:47) - Top Advice on Asking Questions
  • (06:57) - Guiding Principles for Leaders
  • (09:31) - Importance of Levity
  • (11:31) - Why Humor Matters
  • (13:20) - Letting Go of Comfort
  • (16:10) - Overthinking Levity
  • (18:16) - Creating Space for Levity
  • (21:48) - Conclusion

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276. Dead End Goals: Are Your Ambitions Actually Leading You Toward Meaning?

276. Dead End Goals: Are Your Ambitions Actually Leading You Toward Meaning?

The goals we set often lead us away from the meaning we ultimately seek.Meaning in life isn’t a concrete point we can route toward. That’s why we need what Arthur Brooks calls “proxy goals” — and much...

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275. Cracking the Code: Learn The Unspoken Rules of Workplace Success

275. Cracking the Code: Learn The Unspoken Rules of Workplace Success

Why mastering unspoken workplace communication is essential to long-term career success.Succeeding at work doesn’t just depend on how hard you work or how smart you are. According to Erin McGoff, it o...

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274. Choose Connection Over Perfection: Why Happiness Starts with Better Communication

274. Choose Connection Over Perfection: Why Happiness Starts with Better Communication

How to communicate for deeper connection—and greater happiness.Happiness isn’t just a feeling—it’s something you can actively shape through how you think, connect, and communicate.Sonja Lyubomirsky, a...

23 Mars 24min

273. Quick Thinks: How to Create Messages People Remember

273. Quick Thinks: How to Create Messages People Remember

Memorable communication isn’t about saying more—it’s making the right idea stick. No matter how compelling a presentation feels in the moment, most of what you say won’t last in your audience’s memory...

19 Mars 19min

272. Say What Sticks: The Neuroscience of Memorable Communication

272. Say What Sticks: The Neuroscience of Memorable Communication

People are forgetful. Here’s how to make your messages more memorable.After any presentation, your audience will forget about 90% of what you said. That’s okay, says Carmen Simon — just make sure they...

16 Mars 22min

271. Rethinks: The Key to Lasting Behavior Change

271. Rethinks: The Key to Lasting Behavior Change

The secret to building habits that stick.Whether you want to read more books or exercise more regularly, BJ Fogg has good news. “Habits are easier to form than most people think,” he says, “If you do ...

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270. Make Belief: The Mindset Shifts That Make Your Communication Stronger

270. Make Belief: The Mindset Shifts That Make Your Communication Stronger

Why beliefs can either cap our potential or push us toward possibility.What you believe about yourself could be holding you back. Fortunately, Nir Eyal says beliefs aren’t truths — and you can choose ...

9 Mars 25min

269. Ask Matt Anything: Bring Clarity to Complicated Conversations

269. Ask Matt Anything: Bring Clarity to Complicated Conversations

Practical insights to help you communicate with more intention in everyday moments.What’s the difference between reacting and responding? How do you move from memorizing your words to truly conversing...

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