That's Funny! How To Use Humor In Persuasion Part One
By Rick Kirschner
Want to hear something funny? Here's why is an excellent tool when you try to persuade others. Now, I admit, it sure seems obvious. speaks the truth about the human experience. invites people to laugh at themselves. invites others to laugh at ourselves. And we can even use to laugh at others, blissfully ignorant that the joke is on us.
Everyone loves quotes. And all speakers use them. What is so funny about quotes? How about quoting myself? Because, as I say quite often, "United we stand, but divided, we can not stand each other!" And I could not agree more. breaks down the barriers that keep us divided and polarized. builds bridges to bring us together. The use of puts people on common footing, it attracts and holds interest. And it creates a positive atmosphere,
goodwill to all, that is helpful when you want communication to be particularly meaningful. The use of can get past stubborn resistance and set the table for dialog. has such a positive impact on people that more and more businesses (not the dead-serious ones though!) employ it to hold on to employees and train them too. is a powerful tool for the person serious about creating positive change. Why? Well, in case I haven't made the point, not because I say so. It's a fact. is persuasive.
But let's be honest. Not all is equally funny. In fact, bad is also one of the fastest ways to put people in a bad mood, undermine relationships, create hard feelings, offend sensibilities, poison an atmosphere and destroy what could have been a great event, project, team, business, or community.
I'm saying that it is safe to say that what is funny to some is not funny to all. In-jokes are usually only funny to the people in on the joke, the people who shared the experience with you. They tend to leave everyone else drawing a blank. But sometimes, you tell an in-joke, the people who are in start laughing, and the people who aren't in on the joke start laughing too! All the while, they are wondering, and maybe even saying, "What's so funny?because they are wondering why 'we' are all laughing.
Still, you just can't please all the people all the time. If it is tasteless, spare us. Unless you know us and know that our taste runs all the way to tasteless. To know for a fact what is and is not funny to others, you want to find out as much as you can about the people you are talking to and what they find amusing.
That can't be too hard to do. All you have to do is notice what gets people laughing. More about in persuasion can be found in the second part of this article series. In the meantime, remember. There's no such thing as a stupid question. Just stupid people!
Dr. Rick Kirschner is the author of the 'INSIDER'S GUIDE TO THE ART OF PERSUASION: Use Your Influence To Change Your World,' now available, along with a blog, newsletter and free podcast, at TheArtofChange.com FREE! For a limited time, get a $49 audio program on Dealing With Difficult People absolutely free! Visit theartofchange.com/promo for details!
Here are some more 60th birthday humor articles...
By Rick Kirschner
Want to hear something funny? Here's why is an excellent tool when you try to persuade others. Now, I admit, it sure seems obvious. speaks the truth about the human experience. invites people to laugh at themselves. invites others to laugh at ourselves. And we can even use to laugh at others, blissfully ignorant that the joke is on us.
Everyone loves quotes. And all speakers use them. What is so funny about quotes? How about quoting myself? Because, as I say quite often, "United we stand, but divided, we can not stand each other!" And I could not agree more. breaks down the barriers that keep us divided and polarized. builds bridges to bring us together. The use of puts people on common footing, it attracts and holds interest. And it creates a positive atmosphere,
goodwill to all, that is helpful when you want communication to be particularly meaningful. The use of can get past stubborn resistance and set the table for dialog. has such a positive impact on people that more and more businesses (not the dead-serious ones though!) employ it to hold on to employees and train them too. is a powerful tool for the person serious about creating positive change. Why? Well, in case I haven't made the point, not because I say so. It's a fact. is persuasive.
But let's be honest. Not all is equally funny. In fact, bad is also one of the fastest ways to put people in a bad mood, undermine relationships, create hard feelings, offend sensibilities, poison an atmosphere and destroy what could have been a great event, project, team, business, or community.
I'm saying that it is safe to say that what is funny to some is not funny to all. In-jokes are usually only funny to the people in on the joke, the people who shared the experience with you. They tend to leave everyone else drawing a blank. But sometimes, you tell an in-joke, the people who are in start laughing, and the people who aren't in on the joke start laughing too! All the while, they are wondering, and maybe even saying, "What's so funny?because they are wondering why 'we' are all laughing.
Still, you just can't please all the people all the time. If it is tasteless, spare us. Unless you know us and know that our taste runs all the way to tasteless. To know for a fact what is and is not funny to others, you want to find out as much as you can about the people you are talking to and what they find amusing.
That can't be too hard to do. All you have to do is notice what gets people laughing. More about in persuasion can be found in the second part of this article series. In the meantime, remember. There's no such thing as a stupid question. Just stupid people!
Dr. Rick Kirschner is the author of the 'INSIDER'S GUIDE TO THE ART OF PERSUASION: Use Your Influence To Change Your World,' now available, along with a blog, newsletter and free podcast, at TheArtofChange.com FREE! For a limited time, get a $49 audio program on Dealing With Difficult People absolutely free! Visit theartofchange.com/promo for details!
Here are some more 60th birthday humor articles...
| 16 Mark Twain Quotes For Humor Month There are some things that can be said about all Mark Twain quotes, regardless of which one it is you're referring to. One, they're witty. Yes, Mr. Twain was one witty character. Two, they bring a Read more... |
Brighten Someone's Day With Some Humor By Alberto D Martinez It can be nerve-wracking and worrisome when a friend or family member is sick, injured, or undergoing surgery or a medical procedure. For adults, elective surgeries are accompanied by many of the Read more... |
Brighten Someone's Day With Some Humor By Alberto D Martinez It can be nerve-wracking and worrisome when a friend or family member is sick, injured, or undergoing surgery or a medical procedure. For adults, elective surgeries are accompanied by many of the Read more... |
