Why is it that some people seem to be naturally funny? In this fascinating TED Talk, Andrew Tarvin (the “world’s first Humour Engineer”) shows the transformative power of making people laugh – and how you can use it to enhance your communication, leadership and productivity.
Tarvin shows that humour is a skill that goes beyond the desire to feel good after cracking a joke. It can be used to convey a point of view and achieve strategic goals. For instance, it can be invaluable in confrontation. If you realise you are wrong during a workplace discussion, a self-depreciating joke can diffuse the situation and make everyone comfortable (including you).
Tarvin’s testimony shows that anyone can learn the skill of humour. As a self-proclaimed introverted engineer, he now leads a leadership development company and travels the world as a professional speaker – using many entertaining anecdotes in his presentations!
His core idea is “strategic humour”. This involves using humour to purposefully achieve specific outcomes – e.g. diffusing tension, improving team dynamics or making content more memorable. This isn’t about becoming a comedian; it’s more about authenticity and being relevant to the target audience.
The TED Talk is great news for those nervous about taking risks with humour. Many are worried about coming across the wrong way. What if others see me as a clown and don’t take me seriously? What if my jokes don’t land? Tarvin’s talk gives some valuable strategies to learn through failure, helping you understand yourself, others and situations better.
The talk is engaging and accessible. Tarvin does a masterful job of blending informative content with lighthearted delivery. His approach removes much of the mystery around humour, empowering all individuals to approach it with greater confidence – irrespective of their backgrounds and professions.
This talk is fascinating and raises as many questions as it does answers. We commend this TED Talk to you and would love to hear your thoughts!
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