Em Stroud is the Comic Coach who speaks on a range of subjects including how laughter and fun can impact on leadership, teams and culture. How tools and ideas from the world of Improvisation, Comedy and Clowning can impact business success and team performance as well as leadership. Stroud is a best selling author, Clown and successful entrepreneur who has been described as “innovative, witty, engaging and authentic” by Diva Magazines Sam Grierson. She is the host of two podcasts Funny yet Deep and Simply Feel Better. She has also done two tedx talks (one dressed as a banana!)
Em explores the relationship between culture within organisations and the human element, how we can collaborate more successfully and shift our own personal choices when it comes to engagement, communication, impact and storytelling. Em comes from having worked with a compelling list of previous teams, senior individuals and leadership groups in companies including Bloomberg, Bayer, Barclaycard and other firms that do not begin with a B including Airbus, King and Fisher German!
Episode Summary:
In this week’s captivating episode of Humor in the C-suite, host Kate Davis welcomes the dynamic Em Stroud, a renowned comic coach and entrepreneur. The conversation takes an intriguing dive into the intersection of humor, leadership, and culture in the corporate world. From her experiences dressing as a banana for a TEDx talk to the significance of humor in creating impactful leaders, Stroud shares how laughter fundamentally transforms workplace dynamics. This episode promises to blend insights with wit, ensuring listeners understand the profound implications of integrating humor into corporate culture.
Throughout the discussion, Stroud expounds on the necessity of play and humor for executive leaders, highlighting how these elements drive engagement, creativity, and staff retention. Drawing from her vast experience, she presents compelling cases of how levity enhances team collaboration and productivity. The episode also delves into specific strategies Em employs to introduce humor into the C-suite, fostering an environment where leaders can connect authentically and inspire their teams. Join Kate Davis and Em Stroud in this enriching episode aimed at making the corporate world a more enjoyable and effective space through the power of humor.
Key Takeaways:
- Reconnecting with Humor: Bringing humor into the workplace requires leaders to reconnect with their playfulness and implement daily practices that encourage laughter and joy.
- Safety and Comfort: Creating a safe and comfortable environment for executives to explore humor is essential in reducing resistance and building trust.
- Cultural Shifts: The episode highlights the importance of adapting company culture to be inclusive of various forms of play and enjoyment, ensuring broader engagement across the team.
- Personal and Professional Balance: Stroud emphasizes the importance of self-care and maintaining a balance between personal joy and professional responsibilities.
- Impact of Humor on Leadership: Using humor thoughtfully can enhance leadership effectiveness, promote better team collaboration, and ultimately lead to higher staff retention rates.
“In order to shift it so that you can be memorable, so that people can really connect with you, so you can inspire, motivate, engage all of those good things, actually, when you can play a little bit more with your whole range of humanity, it’s extraordinary.” – Em Stroud
Bridging Humor and Leadership: Insights from Em Stroud
The Transformative Power of Humor in Leadership
“Reminding people in the C-suite that they’re human… and how to be memorable, so that people can really connect with you.” – Em Stroud
The conversation between Kate and Em unfolds a significant theme: humor’s transformative power in leadership. Leaders often climb the corporate ladder and adopt a serious demeanor to meet perceived expectations. However, Em emphasizes that reconnecting with their authentic selves, including their humorous side, can often lead to more profound connections and effectiveness in leadership roles.
Em shares her experience of encouraging leaders to reflect on times when they felt relaxed and happy, naturally incorporating humor in those moments. She underscores the idea that humor is not about making others laugh with jokes, but rather about bringing a lightness to interactions. A simple action such as smiling while joining a Zoom call can dramatically shift the atmosphere. This small but impactful change can pave the way for leaders to expand their range and make their interactions more memorable.
Em’s approach is rooted in authenticity and expanding one’s communication palette, rather than merely learning jokes. This method fosters a more engaging leadership style, ultimately enhancing motivation and team spirit.
De-Risking Humor in the Corporate World
“One of the big journeys that I’ve had as a human is… how do I make sure that I feel safe?” – Em Stroud
Another central theme discussed is the apprehension many leaders feel about incorporating humor into their professional lives. Em highlights the importance of creating a safe environment where leaders can comfortably explore and express their humorous sides. Safety, as Em explains, is a foundational element in helping people feel at ease when experimenting with humor.
Em shares how she navigates resistance from executives who might view sessions on humor skeptically. By redefining potential negative responses as signs of fear and discomfort rather than defiance, Em can approach with kindness and patience. Sharing simple, non-threatening activities, such as throwing invisible balls, helps break down barriers.
This gentle and inclusive approach ensures that humor is de-risked, making it accessible and manageable for all executives, reinforcing that humor is a skill that can be developed safely and respectfully within corporate parameters.
Encouraging Play and Joy in the Workplace
“If we’re not finding the fun and the joy, what are we doing?” – Em Stroud
The final major theme explored by Kate and Em revolves around rekindling a sense of play and joy in the workplace. Em advocates for practical strategies to infuse daily routines with humor and play, which can significantly improve team dynamics and productivity.
Em recounts how she uses familiar, playful exercises to help executives tap into their lighter sides. Simple games like passing around invisible balls not only bring laughter but also enhance presence and collaboration among team members. By re-engaging with the playful aspects of themselves, leaders can foster an environment where creativity and collaboration thrive.
Furthermore, Em suggests making comedy a daily practice. Watching short, funny videos and analyzing what makes them laugh can help individuals understand and incorporate humor into their everyday interactions. This consistent exposure to humor can transform it from an occasional occurrence into a regular and natural part of workplace culture.
Cultivating a Joyful Corporate Culture
Integrating humor into leadership and corporate culture can yield profound benefits. Em Stroud’s insights reveal that humor is not just a tool for engagement but a catalyst for creating a more dynamic, trusting, and cohesive workplace. By treating humor as a serious component of professional life, leaders can foster an environment where team members feel valued and motivated.
Adopting humor need not be extravagant; even small steps like smiling more often or sharing a light-hearted moment can substantially impact the corporate atmosphere. As Em advises, making humor a part of daily practices can gradually shift the overall tone of the workplace, leading to increased job satisfaction and better performance.
Em’s approach aligns perfectly with the evolving demands of modern corporate culture, where employees seek more than just a salary—they seek a workplace where they can thrive both professionally and personally. By embracing humor and encouraging playful interactions, leaders can meet these needs, ensuring a happier, more engaged, and more productive workforce.
Em Stroud’s conversation with Kate Davis makes it evident that humor’s role in the C-suite is not just desirable but essential. Leaders who harness the power of humor can look forward to fostering a more innovative, resilient, and cohesive organizational culture. As Em beautifully encapsulates, incorporating humor is about enriching our professional lives with joy, making our daily experience at work not just bearable but truly enjoyable.
