What happens in the silence when nobody laughs? That question sits at the heart of this conversation between Kate Davis and Scott Burgmeyer, founder and CEO of the Become More Group. Scott has spent over three decades moving through manufacturing, technology, HR, and consulting — and in all of it, he’s learned that humor isn’t decoration. It’s infrastructure. Used well, it builds trust, opens people up, and makes it possible to have conversations that actually matter. Used carelessly, it collapses the very relationships it was meant to strengthen. This episode is about knowing the difference.

About Scott Burgmeyer

Scott Burgmeyer’s career began the traditional way — good job, better job, great corporate opportunity. But when the organization became comfortable with his performance and he wasn’t, Scott left. He founded Creative Solutions Group in 2010, went full-time in consulting in 2018, co-authored five books, completed his first corporate acquisition in 2021, and in 2023 merged everything with business partner Tammy under the Become More Group. His expertise spans HR, safety, food safety, continuous improvement, and leadership development across Fortune 50 companies, family-owned businesses, rapid-growth technology firms, and higher education.

Key Topics Covered

Scott and Kate cover how humor functions as a pressure valve in high-stress environments and why that matters more than most leaders realize. They explore the five levels of trust and why humor only becomes truly available at levels three and four — when people feel safe enough to risk a little vulnerability. Scott speaks candidly about the loneliness that comes with being a CEO or business owner, the weight of decisions that affect people’s livelihoods, and why humor can be one of the only tools that cuts through that isolation. Kate brings up dark humor in high-stakes professions — nurses, military, firefighters — and Scott digs into why it works, why it’s powerful, and why it can never be targeted at a person. They also talk about how humor shifts depending on group size, how to use it to soften an uncomfortable message without losing credibility, and the critical difference between laughing at someone versus laughing about something.

Standout Quotes

“It’s lonely as hell at the top. You’re making decisions that impact the lives of everyone in the company — their families, their livelihoods. And who do you have to talk to?” — Scott Burgmeyer

“Your delivery is not allowing people to hear your message.” — Scott Burgmeyer

“It’s like going to the symphony and living in those moments of silence.” — Kate Davis

“Take your work seriously. You don’t have to take yourself too seriously.” — Kate Davis

Scott’s Advice for Leaders

Build relationships first. Humor without trust is a gamble you’ll often lose. Scott breaks trust down into five levels — and meaningful humor, the kind that actually opens people up, doesn’t really become available until you’re in levels three and four. Start small, test the waters, and pay close attention to how people respond. Know your audience — not because some people don’t deserve humor, but because humor lands differently for everyone and what works for one person can alienate another. And when it comes to dark humor specifically: it can be a genuine survival tool in high-pressure environments, but the moment it becomes targeted, it stops being humor and starts being harm.

Connect with Kate Davis 📧 kate@katedavisca.com 🎙️ Humor in the C Suite — available wherever you get your podcasts

Humor in Leadership: Building Trust and Engagement in the Executive Suite

Introduction

In an ever-evolving business landscape, the ability to blend humor with leadership has emerged as a vital skill. Kate Davis’s engaging podcast episode, “Humor in the C Suite,” featuring Scott Burgmeyer, founder and CEO of the Become More Group, delves into how humor can transform workplace culture. Through Scott’s insightful anecdotes and experiences, we learn how humor can foster trust, collaboration, and a sense of community even within high-stakes environments. This article explores how humor, when applied carefully, can act as a catalyst for building trust within teams and improving leadership dynamics in the corporate sphere.

Key Takeaways

• Strategic Use of Humor: Skillfully applied humor can mitigate tension and encourage openness among team members.
• Building Trust: Creating an environment where humor is welcomed can greatly enhance team cohesion and innovation.
• Genuine Engagement: Leaders who incorporate humor and self-awareness tend to build stronger, more transparent relationships with their teams.

The Role of Humor in Leadership

Creating a Collaborative Environment

In the podcast, Scott Burgmeyer highlights humor as a valuable tool for easing tension and opening up lines of communication. According to him, humor can deflate high-pressure situations and create a more relaxed atmosphere where team members feel safer to engage and contribute. As Scott shares, “I have found it is a way to just let off some steam, lighten the mood,” confirming how a well-timed joke can often act as a pressure valve for teams facing tight deadlines or complex challenges.

Moreover, in environments where individuals are still building rapport, humor can serve as a bridge to foster deeper relationships. Scott emphasizes the importance of knowing the audience and the need for an existing or budding relationship. He notes, “If you work, you know, you and Tammy can have that rapport… you work together for 30 years,” illustrating that the foundation of a relationship dictates how humor should be used.

Enhancing Trust and Vulnerability

Scott’s approach to using humor encourages trust and vulnerability, which are crucial in executive relationships. In one instance, Scott describes asking executives how they know they’re working on the right things. When faced with silence, instead of pressing further, he lightened the mood by humorously questioning if they had “fallen asleep”. This gentle ribbing allowed executives to admit vulnerability, opening them up to more honest discussions. Scott explains, “It got them to loosen up a little bit,” showcasing how humor can gently dismantle barriers and build a foundation of trust.

The ability to know when and how to apply humor directly correlates with an understanding of team dynamics. Humor grounded in respect and empathy often creates safe spaces where team members feel more comfortable expressing uncertainty or admitting mistakes—key elements for fostering trust and collaboration.

Humor’s Broader Implications

Inspiring Innovation and Creativity

Humor, as illustrated in the discussion, has a lasting impact on fostering innovative thinking and creativity. Encouraging a culture where humor is used appropriately can enhance a team’s collective morale and innovative drive. For instance, during a particular problem-solving session, a creative use of humor as seen in the podcast narrative helped redirect focus towards collaborative ideation. Scott uses humor to inspire openness, empowering team members to participate without fear of judgment.

Notably, Scott’s humorous anecdote about seating confusion on a flight exemplifies how humor can lighten complex scenarios. The jovial mention of whether he can “pick them up and throw them off the plane” highlights how humor can foster resilience and adaptability, two pivotal traits for driving innovation.

Establishing Authentic Leadership

Scott demonstrates that humor must originate from a place of authenticity to be effective. Genuine moments of levity often bring out a leader’s personal side, making them more relatable and trustworthy to their teams. As Scott explains about working with Tammy, “If you did it that way, but I was thinking we do it this way,” humor intertwined with authenticity allows for more productive, open dialogues.

Successful leaders balance humor with professional seriousness, as encapsulated by Scott’s ability to discern when humor is suitable across different contexts – whether navigating the dynamics of large corporate teams or in more personalized team coaching sessions. His insightful commentary that “Once you think you’re done, you are done,” serves as a rallying call for leaders to seamlessly integrate humor into daily leadership practice.

Final Insights

Humor, when integrated thoughtfully into leadership, is no trivial matter. It acts as a powerful tool to forge stronger connections between leaders and their teams, enhance trust, and create environments ripe for innovation. Scott Burgmeyer’s conversation with Kate Davis illustrates that with strategic application, humor can be a leader’s ally in negotiating the complex interpersonal landscape of the workplace. It’s not just about telling jokes; it’s about fostering a positive, engaging environment where trust can flourish, creativity can thrive, and leadership can genuinely resonate with sincerity and insight.