Inspiring Workplaces: Humor Me for a Better Response

Published: Wed, 11/01/23

Inspiring Workplaces

ISSUE 995 - Nov. 1, 2023


		Humor Me for a Better Response

	As I write about in my soon-to-be-made-into-a-Broadway-musical book, The Humor Advantage: Why Some Businesses are Laughing All the Way to the Bank, sending a person you are negotiating with a funny, inoffensive card generates higher levels of trust, 15% larger profits, and improves the likelihood of a person getting back to you in a timely manner. Similarly, salespeople who use humor in their emails get anywhere from a 15-30% higher response rate. I love Mike Brooks' approach to connecting with a prospect who won't return a call. He sends an email with the subject line reading: Should I stay or should I go? Then in the email message, Mike writes: I've tried connecting with you, but haven't heard back from you and that tells me one of three things: 1) You've chosen another company and if that's the case please let me know so I stop bothering you. 2) You're interested but you haven't had the time to get back to me 3) You've fallen and you can't get up, in which case please let me know and I'll phone 911 for you immediately! Thank you in advance and I look forward to hearing from you! Mike Okay, so now this is me, other Mike, who wants to remind you that you don't need to be in sales to use humor to forge relationships and get better responses to your emails or voicemail messages - anyone can benefit from adding a dash of humor. One trick I've used is leaving the setup part of a joke on a voicemail and letting the other person know that they'll have to call me back to get the punchline. And yes, it works...as long as you remember the punchline.

		Mike's Fun at Work Tip

One of my clients has benches and various seating areas scattered throughout their office to encourage random conversations. What's very cool, I think, is that many of them are labeled with different categories, so if you want to grab your work and sit with a coffee, you can wait on a couch with a sign reading "I need help brainstorming" or "Ask me about my project" or "In desperate need of a stress-reducing distraction!"
		Quote of the Week
"Conflict can destroy a team that hasn't spent time learning how to deal with it." Thomas Isgar

		Funny Business

As seen on a sign at a zoo: Do not stand, sit, climb or lean on zoo fences. If you fall, animals could eat you and that might make them sick. Thank you.

Cost-Saving Opportunities to
Book Michael
Kelowna/Penticton: Various dates through to the end of November
Toronto: November 9,10
Vancouver: Nov. 13-17
Ottawa: November 18-24
Quebec City: Dec 8-15
Vancouver: January 10-16
New York City: February 1-12

The Power of Intentional Leadership
I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Human Resources Director about the power of intentional culture leadership. Watch here! (8 minutes)

How to Be a Culture Leader: What Culture Leaders Do to Create Inspiring, Compassionate Workplace Cultures That Drive Results
This online membership site/course includes 12 video-based modules, 5 eBooks, and all the resources you need to help you and your team build an inspiring workplace culture that works for everyone. Great deals for bulk signups!

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