Does Humour Have a Place in Business?

“Does humour really have a place in business?” 

I remember going through agonising contortions of worry when setting up my speaker business Free Your Funny freeyourfunny.com. Is this a real business solution, or is it a solution looking for a problem. It took lengthy coaching (therapy) with renown speaker consultant Maria Franzoni, to convince me that freeing an organisation’s funny was crucial to not just their communication, culture and creativity, but also the well-being of their people.

And actually there is plenty of evidence to support this. A number of visionary leaders have discovered that humour really can foster innovation, strengthen team cohesion, and even transform the very culture of a company. So here are three stories of leaders who used humour and fun to revolutionise their businesses.

Herb Kelleher and the Spirit of Southwest Airlines

Herb Kelleher, co-founder and former CEO of Southwest Airlines, is famous for incorporating humour into the airline's culture. He believed that a fun work environment would translate into better service for customers. He famously said, "If you create an environment where people want to come to work, they'll be more productive." Under his leadership, Southwest became known for its quirky, fun  and enjoyable atmosphere. Their flight attendants are encouraged to use humour in their announcements https://youtu.be/07LFBydGjaM and the whole vibe at South Western is playful and fun; for instance holding spontaneous costume contests. For some this might feel slightly hellish yet this approach has not only made Southwest Airlines a popular brand but also helped it maintain profitability in an incredibly challenging industry.

Richard Branson's Playful Leadership at Virgin Group

Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, has always been a supporter of blending work with play. Anyone who has worked for Branson will confirm he encourages a corporate culture that embraces fun and creativity. From appearing in public dressed as a female flight attendant to participating in various stunts and challenges, his playful approach has made the Virgin brand synonymous with innovation and excitement.  Crucially his leadership creates a sense of camaraderie and loyalty among employees, and an environment where creative ideas can flourish. Put it this way, as someone who knows, a huge number of stories used in creativity workshops come from Branson. This strategy has been crucial to Virgin's success across numerous industries, from music to airlines to telecommunications.

Tony Hsieh's Happiness Culture at Zappos

Tony Hsieh, the late CEO of Zappos, was one of the first leaders to prioritise employee happiness and fun as core business strategy. Hsieh believed that a happy workplace would naturally lead to better customer service. One of Hsieh's famous initiatives was the creation of a "Culture Book," where employees could share their thoughts and stories about the company's culture. This emphasis on a positive work environment really paid off as Zappos grew into a billion-dollar company renowned for some of the best customer service in the US and incredible employee satisfaction.

Now it’s Your Turn: Have More Fun and Transform Your Business

These stories show that humour and fun can indeed play a role in business;  how a light-hearted approach can enhance employee satisfaction, push innovation, and create a positive brand image. 

Now over to you.  Do you have a story where humour or fun changed the dynamic of your workplace or led to a significant business breakthrough? Has fun played a role in your professional journey? Share your experiences and let's continue the chat about the power of laughter in the world of business.