In this conversation, Dr Austin Tay explores the significance of humour in leadership and its impact on workplace dynamics. He discusses the different styles of humour, the strategic use of humour to foster team cohesion, and how humour can serve as a diagnostic tool for understanding organisational challenges. The conversation emphasises the importance of context, trust, and appropriateness in using humour effectively, ultimately highlighting how leaders who leverage humour can create a more engaging and resilient workplace culture.

Takeaways

• Humour can unveil deeper organisational problems.
• Positive humour boosts team performance and cohesion.
• Understanding humour styles is vital for effective leadership.
• Humour can serve as a diagnostic tool for organisational health.
• Trust is crucial for humour to be impactful.
• Timing and context are essential when applying humour. Inappropriate humour can harm leadership credibility.
• Leaders should monitor humour patterns within their teams.
• Self-deprecating humour promotes psychological safety.
• Humour can help manage workplace tensions and contradictions.

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