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Humour, Seriously

Why Humour Is A Superpower At Work And In Life

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Humour, Seriously

By: Jennifer Aaker, Naomi Bagdonas
Narrated by: Jennifer Aaker, Naomi Bagdonas, Fred Sanders, Michael Lewis
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About this listen

'A smart, funny, brilliant book on how to be smart about being funny, brilliantly' Sarah Cooper

'This book has finally convinced me that joking around can actually be important and powerful' Ed Gamble

'Eye-opening, important and utterly enjoyable. Come for the humour, stay for the insights' Arianna Huffington

Humour is a superpower. If you're not using it, the joke's on you.

When we're kids we laugh all the time. The average four year-old laughs as many as 300 times a day, while the average forty year-old laughs 300 times every two and a half months! We grow up, start working and suddenly become "serious and important people", trading laughter for bottom lines, slide decks and mind-dumbing conference calls.

But the benefits of humour for our work and life are huge. Studies have shown that humour makes us appear more competent and confident, strengthens our relationships, unlocks creativity and boosts resilience during difficult times.

Dr. Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas are on a mission to help everyone discover the power of humour. Based on the popular Stanford Business course, this book will show you how to mine your life for material, explore the Four Deadly Humour Myths and help you figure out which style of humour you fall into - The Magnet, The Sweetheart, The Sniper or the Stand Up.

Drawing on behavioural science, advice from world-class comedians and stories from top leaders, Humour, Seriously will show you how to harness the power of humour every day.

Career Success Employment Meetings & Presentations Career Comedy Business Celebrity

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Critic reviews

Humour is magical. It can make fear and pomposity vanish and creativity and resilience appear in their place. The ultimate guide to using the magical power of funny as a tool for leadership and a force for good, Humour, Seriously is an intoxicating mix of science, strategy, and slapstick - a knee-slapping, mind-expanding tour de force
A smart, funny, brilliant book on how to be smart about being funny, brilliantly. And I'm not just saying that because they say I am smart, funny, and brilliant in it. Buy it
I've learned (often the hard way) that the best way to be taken seriously is to not take yourself too seriously. My teams are always at their best when approaching problems with levity, which entails both humility and optimism and always engenders trust. Plus, it's more fun - like this book!
A sharp, incisive, and genuinely funny read. Humour, Seriously translates the knowledge of the world of comedy to tools that actually work in the world of business
If you think your workplace would work better if everyone laughed more, this is your playbook
I've always used humour as a secret weapon at Spanx. Jennifer and Naomi make a scientific case for the importance of humour and show it's an incredible way to connect with customers and build culture. This book will help anyone embrace the power of laughter
Humour is an act of social courage that, when used correctly, has a transformative effect. Humour, Seriously gives us the tools we need to deploy humour expertly in any environment
Eye-opening, hilarious, and absolutely original, Humour, Seriously will change the way you think on the job, about the world, and in your life
Of all the known ways to ruin humour, 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. It probably won't turn you into Ali Wong, Dave Chappelle, or Hannah Gadsby, but it will give you a much deeper appreciation of how they think-and teach you some new ways to make people laugh
In this eye-opening, important and utterly enjoyable book, Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas use science to explain how humour at work (and in life) helps alleviate stress, anxiety, and burnout. Come for the humour, stay for the insights
All stars
Most relevant
Reminded me and reinforced with several relevant examples of the importance of humour and levity in my work life, personal life and relationships.

Thought provoking

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I'd already started recommending this book to my colleagues after just reading the first chapter! If you, like me, had a hunch that humour and levity could be a superpower at work, here is your bible to go forth and spread the joy!

Release the joy!!!

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I liked the destruction of comedy the most. The first couple of chapters were lots of selling i humour and the later ones high level selling of humour to leaders. I would have preferred more hands application advice.

The gags in the book were killed by the narrators ability to use comic timing which is ironic!

A mixed bag

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I came across this book from listening to the authors appearing on the Happier podcast. I've always been the serious parent, he's the fun one but I wanted that to change so I used my latest audible credit to buy this book.

The book is a mix of inspiration (academic research and countless examples) as well as practical steps.

I think the value in books like these is how easy it is actually start doing what is being recommended, provided you've been inspired to taken action of course. Already, I am finding opportunities for levity in my personal and professional life. I'm certainly smiling more at home and the relationship I have with my pre-teen is better than before, just by noticing opportunities for humour and tapping into them.

It's in my professional life that things have changed the most. Before even finishing the book, I have used a post-script on emails to colleagues, commented on the similarity and differences between a supplier and a project with the same name, but my favourite so far is setting a meeting for the team, including my boss, with the title "I'm not missing this meeting for anything!".

Who knew humour could be so accessible, rewarding and cost less than 12.85 minutes of therapy.

Enlightening, inspiring & cheaper than therapy

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I loved this book, though I already knew a fair bit about the subject, I found it well presented and full of meaningful anecdotes.
Furthermore, I liked the easy going style it's written in (and read, in the Audible format).
I believe all leaders in companies should read it: it's about time we tear down this aura of seriousness and toughness that surrounds too many powerful people.
I liked the concept of humour as a superpower. I wish it substituted authoritative leadership in companies.

loved it!

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