A comedian’s guide to humour at work with Beth Sherman

At our 2024 Annual Conference, sponsored by Crowe, comedian Beth Sherman delivered a compelling TED-style talk on an often-downplayed leadership tool: humour. Drawing from her diverse experiences – including performing stand-up comedy for Marines in Iraq – Sherman made a powerful case for humour as what she calls “a love language” in professional settings.

The power of emotional connection

Beth’s central thesis is both simple and profound: humour serves as a vital communication tool that allows us to express things we might not otherwise say directly. More importantly, it creates emotional connections that form the foundation of trust in professional relationships.

“Laughter, even just a smile, is emotion,” Sherman explained. “And emotion is a necessary building block of trust.” This trust, she argues, is essential before you can expect anyone to take action – whether that’s working with you, funding your project, or simply giving you their continued attention.

Breaking down the credibility myth

One of the most compelling aspects of Beth’s talk was her head-on confrontation of the common concern that humour might undermine professional credibility. She shared insights from an unexpected source: a 6’4″ former British commando who used subtle humour to build trust with village elders during his service. His approach wasn’t about being a comedian, but rather about creating human connection through small moments of shared amusement.

Self-aware vs. Self-deprecating

Beth made a crucial distinction between self-aware humour and self-deprecating humour – particularly important for leaders from marginalised communities. While self-deprecating humour might get a laugh, it can reinforce existing biases and undermine credibility. Instead, she advocates for self-aware humour that acknowledges and addresses what the audience might be thinking.

She illustrated this through her own experience performing for young Marines in Iraq: “The big bases get the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. You get me.” This approach acknowledged the obvious without putting herself down, demonstrating how leaders can use humour to address potential elephants in the room while maintaining their authority.

Navigating when humour goes wrong

Perhaps most valuably, Beth addressed how to handle situations when humour misses the mark. She compared humour to a hammer – a tool that can either build or hurt, sometimes unintentionally. Her practical approach to “vetting the heckler” in professional situations provided attendees with concrete strategies for addressing potentially offensive comments while maintaining professional relationships.

She emphasised that responses like “Oh, none taken” or “Dad, I don’t think we say that anymore” can defuse tension while sending a clear message about boundaries. However, she was equally clear that such approaches don’t mean accepting genuine harassment, advising leaders to involve HR when necessary.

Key takeaways for leaders

The core message of Sherman’s talk resonated strongly with the leadership conference audience: humour, when used thoughtfully, can be a powerful tool for building authentic connections in professional settings. Her emphasis on using humour to build bridges rather than barriers provided a fresh perspective on professional communication.

Sherman concluded her talk by reinforcing that “there’s only one acceptable use for humour at work, and that is to build connection.” In an era where authentic leadership is increasingly valued, her insights offer a practical framework for leaders looking to connect more effectively with their teams while maintaining professional boundaries and respect.

Her presentation stood out as a highlight of Pride in Leadership 2024, offering both practical wisdom and engaging delivery – proving her points about humour and connection even as she made them.