What if the secret to a more creative, bonded, and less stressful workplace was not another management tool or a new productivity app, but something as simple as laughter? Stanford University experts Dr. Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas believe so. In their widely watched TED Talk, Why Great Leaders Take Humor Seriously, they argued that humor is not just entertainment but a powerful tool for effective leadership.
“Leaders with a good sense of humor are seen as 27 percent more motivating,” they explained in the talk. “Their teams are more bonded and creative. Also, humor sells”.
The science of laughter in leadership
Citing research, Aaker and Bagdonas revealed that humor has tangible effects on both team morale and business outcomes. For instance, a sales pitch that includes a lighthearted line—such as jokingly offering a pet frog—can increase willingness to pay by nearly 20 percent.
But the real magic happens in the brain. Laughter, they said, triggers the release of endorphins, lowers cortisol (the stress hormone), and boosts dopamine, the same chemical linked to bonding and pleasure. “Laughing is like exercising, meditating and having sex at the same time,” the speakers noted. “But logistically easier.”
Why the workplace loses its smiles
Aaker and Bagdonas pointed out a troubling pattern. Global surveys show that while children laugh frequently, the rate plummets once people enter the workforce. It only picks up again in old age—by which time, they quipped, many people have outlived the average life expectancy. Their mission: to bring humor back into daily work life, before it is too late.
Practical wisdom for leaders
Of course, humor at work comes with its challenges. The Stanford experts cautioned leaders to use it thoughtfully. It should never “punch down” or make fun of those with less power. Instead, humor should focus on making others feel included and comfortable. “Don’t ask, will this make me sound funny? Ask, how will this make other people feel?” they advised.
They also stressed the importance of context and closeness. Joking about one’s own family is fair game, but making light of others’ loved ones is off-limits. The goal, they said, is to use humor as a bridge, not a barrier.
Humor as connection
For Aaker and Bagdonas, humor is about much more than laughter. It is a way to build trust and strengthen human connection. When strangers share a laugh before a conversation, studies show they open up more and form closer bonds. In leadership, this translates into teams that feel safer, more creative, and more collaborative.
“Laughing together makes us feel more connected,” they said. “It floods our brains with the same hormones associated with love. And where humor exists, love is not far behind.”
In a time when workplaces are struggling with burnout and disconnection, their call to bring laughter back may be one of the simplest yet most profound strategies for creating healthier, happier, and more productive organizations.
“Leaders with a good sense of humor are seen as 27 percent more motivating,” they explained in the talk. “Their teams are more bonded and creative. Also, humor sells”.
The science of laughter in leadership
Citing research, Aaker and Bagdonas revealed that humor has tangible effects on both team morale and business outcomes. For instance, a sales pitch that includes a lighthearted line—such as jokingly offering a pet frog—can increase willingness to pay by nearly 20 percent.
But the real magic happens in the brain. Laughter, they said, triggers the release of endorphins, lowers cortisol (the stress hormone), and boosts dopamine, the same chemical linked to bonding and pleasure. “Laughing is like exercising, meditating and having sex at the same time,” the speakers noted. “But logistically easier.”
Why the workplace loses its smiles
Aaker and Bagdonas pointed out a troubling pattern. Global surveys show that while children laugh frequently, the rate plummets once people enter the workforce. It only picks up again in old age—by which time, they quipped, many people have outlived the average life expectancy. Their mission: to bring humor back into daily work life, before it is too late.
Practical wisdom for leaders
Of course, humor at work comes with its challenges. The Stanford experts cautioned leaders to use it thoughtfully. It should never “punch down” or make fun of those with less power. Instead, humor should focus on making others feel included and comfortable. “Don’t ask, will this make me sound funny? Ask, how will this make other people feel?” they advised.
They also stressed the importance of context and closeness. Joking about one’s own family is fair game, but making light of others’ loved ones is off-limits. The goal, they said, is to use humor as a bridge, not a barrier.
Humor as connection
For Aaker and Bagdonas, humor is about much more than laughter. It is a way to build trust and strengthen human connection. When strangers share a laugh before a conversation, studies show they open up more and form closer bonds. In leadership, this translates into teams that feel safer, more creative, and more collaborative.
“Laughing together makes us feel more connected,” they said. “It floods our brains with the same hormones associated with love. And where humor exists, love is not far behind.”
In a time when workplaces are struggling with burnout and disconnection, their call to bring laughter back may be one of the simplest yet most profound strategies for creating healthier, happier, and more productive organizations.
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