A loaded minivan pulled into the only remaining campsite. Four youngsters leaped from the vehicle and began feverishly unloading gear and setting up a tent. Two kids then rushed off with their dad to gather firewood, and two others helped their mother set up the camp stove and cooking utensils.
A nearby camper marveled to the father, “That is some impressive display of teamwork.”
“Actually,” the father replied, “I have a system. No one goes to the bathroom until camp is set up.”
You might have noticed that I’m a big believer in humor through stories with a message. April is National Humor Month. I use humor to make my messages more engaging and memorable. It helps convey important lessons in a way that resonates with people, making the learning experience enjoyable and impactful.
Humor is a powerful tool in the business world, for several reasons. First, humor captures attention and keeps the audience engaged. When people are entertained, they're more likely to remember the message.
Next, humor can diffuse tension in high-pressure environments and create a more relaxed atmosphere. This can lead to more open communication and collaboration.
Humor fosters a positive environment. A light-hearted approach can encourage team members to think outside the box and contribute more freely.
Humor can be a persuasive tool. When used appropriately, it can make arguments more compelling and help sway opinions.
Here are a few of my favorite stories:
A man prayed every night for divine intervention to help him win the lottery. Night after night he sent his pleas on high without results. Finally, in desperation, he cried to the heavens, “Lord, please let me win the lottery. Give me a break!”
Then through a roll of thunder and flashes of lightning came a booming voice from above, “You give me a break! Buy a ticket!”
An Army general went to lunch one day and ordered a broiled lobster. When he was brought a lobster minus a claw, the general summoned the server to complain.
The server responded: “General, let me explain. This is a broiled lobster just like you ordered but what you must understand is that the lobsters are kept in a holding tank live. They often fight and sometimes lose a claw.”
To this the general thundered back, “Then bring me the winner!”
There is an old saying in Africa that goes like this: Every morning a gazelle gets up and knows that it must out-run the fastest lion or it will get eaten. And every morning, a lion gets up and knows that it must out-run the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death. So, whether you are a gazelle or a lion, every morning when you get up, you'd better start running.
At the end of a particularly frustrating practice one day, a football coach dismissed his players by yelling, “Now all you idiots, go take a shower!” All but one player headed toward the locker room. The coach glared at him and asked why he was still there.
“You told all the idiots to go, sir,” the player replied, “and there sure seems to be a lot of them. But I am not an idiot.”
An old farmer was celebrating his 90th birthday. He'd seen it all – the Dust Bowl, years of flooding rains and scorching heat, banks taking back mortgages on every farm in the county. But through it all, he'd remained positive and determined, even downright cheerful. His family and friends pressed him for his secret on maintaining his optimism.
“It ain't so hard,” he said with a twinkle in his eye. “I just learned early on to cooperate with the inevitable.”
And being a lifelong salesman, I must share a story near and dear to my heart.
A man who had lived an exemplary life died and was given a preview of heaven and hell. In heaven, people were peaceful and serene and smiling. In hell he was given a stretch limo, the best of food and drink and an endless list of parties. He chose hell.
As soon as he walked through the gates, the devil began flogging him with a whip and he was thrown into a fiery chasm. “Wait!” he said. “Yesterday I was treated like a king, and now this. Why?”
“Ah,” said the devil. “Yesterday you were a prospect. Today you’re a customer.”
Mackay's Moral: Laughter is the shortest distance between two people. Use it wisely in business to bridge gaps and build lasting connections.