Eileen Doyle and R. Bruce Baum

The Art of Humor in Leadership

Empirical evidence shows that happy employees are more productive employees.  Humor is not the only reason that employees are happy, but it is definitely a contributing factor.  Additionally, employees consistently state that relationships with colleagues and superiors are often more important than their salary.  One way that people in leadership positions can foster relationships and promote productivity is to include humor in their interpersonal interactions.  Moreover, they can help create a work environment where humor is appreciated and valued.
The “art” of humor implies that humor experienced in the workplace is appropriate, timely and tasteful.  Never should it be used to criticize, demean or make others feel unwanted or unappreciated.  The purpose of humor is to uplift, not to put down, and this workshop will reinforce that concept.

As a result of this presentation, participants will be able to:

• Describe three or more attributes of successful leaders.
• Identify three or more benefits of infusing humor in leadership.
• Share four or more examples of how leaders can infuse appropriate humor in their companies or organizations.
• Better recognize, appreciate and generate humor in their work environments.
• Laugh more, enjoy life and possibly make more money.

About Eileen Doyle

Eileen Doyle, president of Deeper Dives, provides highly interactive facilitation and market research. Eileen has facilitated diverse projects such as ideation sessions, team building, market research, TV casting, and naming studies.

She applies techniques that access right brain and left brain, creating an atmosphere where participants use all learning styles: visual, auditory and kinesthetic. These include creative problem solving, projective techniques, archetypes, leadership/communication preferences and laughter. She partners with clients to clarify goals and facilitate their progress to actionable results.

Eileen is a leader in the field of creativity, presenting engaging workshops at conferences in the U.S., Canada, Italy and South Africa. She is a Colleague with the Creative Education Foundation and co-founder of the New England Creativity Group. She is “certifiable” in the Neethling Brain Instruments (NBI™), MBTI®, Pearson-Marr Archetype Indicator™, Foursight™, Professional Researcher, Coaching and Innovation Games®. Her favorite credentials are Certified Laughter Leader and international cat-sitter.

About Bruce Baum

R. Bruce Baum, a legend in his own mind, is a Professor Emeritus in the Exceptional Education Department at Buffalo State College.  Although retired, he still teaches part-time including a graduate course on “Humor and Learning.” He is the ‘Head Honcho’ of HumorCreativity.com. He received degrees from the University of Cincinnati, and Indiana University. Dr. Baum is author of How to Motivate Audiences: 121 Warm ups, Icebreakers and Activities for Promoting Creative Problem Solving, Teamwork and Laughter (Bates Jackson), The Almost Wet Your Pants Book of Humor (Author House), 20 Magic Tricks for the Magically Impaired (DVD), and the MEGA TRAINING CD.

In 2007 he received the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching from Buffalo State College. He is a Colleague in the Creative Education Foundation, a leader in the Annual Creative Problem Solving Institute, Neethling Brain Instruments (NBI™) certified, a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, a Certified Laughter Leader, a member of the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor, a faculty member of Now to Wow™ Adventure and Learning Programs and a Certified Rock Balancer. He has consulted and facilitated with numerous companies, educational institutions, and organizations including General Mills, The U.S. Internal Revenue Service, American Steamship, Fashion Institute of Technology, Attica Correctional Facility and Harlequin Books to name a few. He has presented on humor, creativity and other topics in Singapore, Cyprus, Jamaica, South Africa (8 times), Costa Rica and Canada.

In his spare time, Dr. Baum is a Rocket Scientist, Bronco Rider, Taxidermist, Explorer, Brain Surgeon and Gourmet.