Leaders Who Laugh

Leaders who laugh, who allow themselves to have fun, to enjoy play, and silliness, allow others to test themselves, to learn, and to grow in their company. I see this on a regular basis, the comfort a leader has with themselves, hugely benefits the people they lead.

Work is a serious business, and there’s no more serious business than the business of saving lives. These leaders, working in their various roles, all work in service of that goal, saving lives.

But, working in an environment where people are serious through fear of vulnerability, through fear of suspicion, through fear that if they play, or laugh, or think different, that it will negatively impact their status, or how they are perceived, this will massively inhibit the growth, development and learning capacity of the culture.

The work I do requires taking people out of their comfort zone, with occasionally odd questions, odd activities, sharing odd thinking and ideas, that can be counter to the culture, environment or a personal preferred way of working.

How a leader responds to these challenges is very telling. Being uncomfortable when exposed to difference is absolutely normal, but knowing why you’re uncomfortable and learning to regulate in the face of discomfort, is immensely beneficial to the individual and organisation.

This group of smiling faces from across Europe were absolutely fantastic!
They embraced the challenges, laughed heartily and created an environment where everyone around them also had the space to laugh, learn, test themselves, and grow.

Their comfort with themselves, created a comfort with each other, and will without doubt benefit the people they lead!

Thanks for having me back to Munich!