As the U.S. Presidential race winds down, here's a timely thought or two about the importance of speaking truth to power and the role subversive humor can play in revealing some uncomfortable truths in the workplace. 

After Al Gore's disastrous first debate in the 2000 election, his campaign team chose a rather unorthodox method of giving him feedback. Centuries ago, they may have relied on a court jester. In this case, they sat him down and made him watch the Saturday Night Live parody of the debate. Message received. 

As I mentioned in issue #438 (now a hot collector's item), a study of more than 50 large companies found that "observable candor" proved to be the behavior that best predicted high-performing teams. To be successful, every organization must work on creating the kind of culture where anyone at any level of the organization can speak freely, share ideas, offer feedback, and ask any question of anyone. (Every organizations says they do this, few actually do.)

But we need to appreciate that giving honest feedback and speaking truth to power isn't an easy thing for anyone to do. That's one more reason why creating a relaxed, supportive, and yes, fun work environment matters. When people are relaxed, and when they see their leaders having some fun and see them as approachable, they are far more comfortable speaking up. 

Sometimes though, that critical message that leaders need to hear might be delivered via a punchline, a Dilbert cartoon or a Saturday Night Live skit. Rather than fearing subversive humor in the workplace, smart leaders and employees should set their egos aside (which humor can definitely help with!) and be appreciative of the message being delivered in whatever form your court jester takes.