Most of us would agree that having humor in
our lives increases rapport, strengthens our
relationships and overcomes communication
barriers. People who work in a positive,
often playful environment are more likely to
stay. Productivity and creativity increase
while stress is reduced. We just feel better
after a good laugh. Think funny!
-
Open with a
humorous story. . I remember the
time the lights when out and I fell off
the stage. I wasn't hurt and quickly
said; Now I will take questions from the
floor. I'm at my best when taking
questions in the dark. Before you can be
funny, you must learn to see funny. Find
the humor around you, in your life every
day. The lady who takes an aisle seat
rather tan sit next to the window . . .
doesn't want to mess up her hair.
Practice telling the story out loud, and
cut out any parts that aren't crucial.
As Shakespeare so wisely said, "Brevity
is the soul of wit."
-
Use props (candy
bars, hats, funny faces, etc.) Props
can be used as a metaphor or an analogy
for a point you are introducing. They
get your creative juices working while
providing an anchor for your audience to
focus on.
-
Cartoons - use
your own or others. A picture saves a
1000 words. Put cartoons on an overhead
or use as part of a PowerPoint
presentation.
-
Humor - should
be relevant to your topic. Tom Peters
said, I deeply believe in humor; not in
jokes. Humor is spectacular. Humor
relieves anxiety and tension, serves as
outlet for hostility and anger, and
provides a healthy escape from reality.
It lightens heaviness related to
critical illness, trauma, disfigurement,
and death. It comes as no surprise that
many people are utilizing humor to deal
with the trying times. But is the humor
timely? Is it appropriate?
Do not use ethnic, racist, political or
religious jokes. Include a joke that
helps bring back the attention of the
audience or as a way to lighten up your
remarks. We all can use a good laugh
from a well timed, funny joke.
-
Self effacing
humor - it is better to admit you
made a mistake than to admit that you
are one. One of my lines as a mother of
five is: For someone who isn't Catholic,
I sure did my share for the pope!
Phyllis Diller is in the Guinness Book
of World Records as having the most
laughs per minute. A laugh is measured
by:
5 points if everyone is laughing and
applauding
4 points if everyone is laughing and
there's a smattering
of applause 3 points if everyone laughs
but there's no applause
2 points if some people are laughing
1 point for a titter or giggle
-
Mime - Marcel
Marceau makes us laugh and moves us.
Charlie Chaplin was an all time great
without using the spoken word.
-
Move Your Body Try
lifting your nose, look off to the
side, jut out the bottom of your jaw,
and notice how you become arrogant or
aloof, Take a wide stance, shift your
hips forward, and now you've just gained
50 pounds. The use of body movements
will help to visually enhance your
remarks.
-
Repetitive oral
recitation - (example: repeat after
me, "remember, if you can see funny, you
can be funny.") Repeat a particular
sentence throughout your presentation to
encourage audience retention.
-
Use taped music
for a stretch break. Get the
audience to sing a funny song. Pass out
words to a song. Lighten up your
attendees have some fun and your
audience retention will increase. Don't
be afraid to be theatrical or silly.
It's why we pay actors the big bucks;
and your audiences won't forget you. Be
outrageous. It's the only place that
isn't crowded.
-
Group exercise a
fun way to conclude your presentation is
to use a group exercise. Use the
football huddle to get the group to
repeat a cheer or an affirmation to take
some action.
Post your comments at
amin@aiminlines.co.th
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