Manage Smarter 297 — The Power of Humor at Work with Kevin Hubschmann

HOSTED BY C. LEE SMITH AND AUDREY STRONG
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How can leaders use humor to improve workplace performance without causing problems? Leaders boost culture and results by using humor as a soft skill, not joke-​telling: active listening, empathy, reading the room, and “yes, and” collaboration. This builds psychological safety, trust, and memorable brand stories, while self-​deprecation and quick recovery from failed jokes keep conversations positive and authentic.

Kevin Hubschmann, founder of Laugh​.Events, shares how improv and comedy skills like active listening, adaptability, and self-​deprecating humor can strengthen leadership, sales, and workplace culture.

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Learn to build psychological safety, improve brand voice, and connect authentically for business success. Discover actionable strategies and tips to use humor effectively at work and in team building in this episode of Manage Smarter.

In this podcast for sales managers and executive leadership, Audrey Strong, C. Lee Smith and Kevin Hubschmann help you to answer:

Humor in the workplace is less about delivering jokes and more about active listening, empathy, and reading the room to connect with colleagues. Kevin Hubschmann emphasizes this approach builds rapport and psychological safety rather than risking inappropriate or canned humor.

What is a proven methodology to inject memorable, appropriate humor into brand voice or storytelling?

Effective storytelling in sales and branding uses the classic comedy structure: setup, punchline, and tie-​in, along with knowing your audience. Kevin Hubschmann explains that when humor aligns with your brand and is relevant to your target audience’s problems, it builds trust, boosts brand recall, and forges meaningful connections.

How can using comedy skills in the workplace benefit professionals beyond making people laugh?

Comedy skills like listening, adaptability, and presence foster stronger communication, creativity, and connection at work. Kevin Hubschmann shared that by applying these 'soft skills,' professionals can create psychological safety, build team trust, and enhance productivity.

Either move on quickly ('onto the next one') or acknowledge the flop with self-​deprecation, depending on the situation. Kevin Hubschmann advises this strategy keeps conversations positive and maintains engagement while showing authenticity and adaptability.

What is the importance of the 'yes, and…' technique from improv for business leaders?

The 'yes, and…' technique from improv encourages openness, transparency, and team bonding by embracing mistakes and building on others' ideas. Kevin Hubschmann highlighted that leaders who admit their failures and show vulnerability create a culture that is agile and resilient.

"Humor skills and comedy skills, as I refer to them, are actually about soft skills. And that's listening, communication, empathy, thinking on the fly, going off script, reading a room."

Kevin Hubschmann

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