Humor in Meetings

Boosting Engagement Without Crossing the Line

Humor is one of the most effective yet often overlooked tools for creating engaging, dynamic meetings. It can break down barriers, increase creativity, and reduce stress, all while strengthening team bonds and improving communication. In a world where workplace meetings are often seen as tedious or even dreaded, humor can completely shift the energy in the room and have lasting impacts on connection and alignment.

However, like any tool, humor must be used thoughtfully. Inappropriate or ill-timed humor can do more harm than good, leading to confusion, disengagement, or worse—offending participants. So, how can we leverage the power of humor to create positive, productive meeting environments? How can we encourage participants to join in, rather than feeling like they have to sit and listen?  Let’s explore the many benefits of humor in meetings, along with some practical tips to use it effectively without creating problems.

1. Breaking Down Barriers

Humor has a unique ability to dismantle the invisible walls that exist between people in professional settings. Whether it’s the hierarchy between management and staff, or the cultural or departmental divides within a company, humor can bring people together. It levels the playing field by humanizing everyone in the room, making them more relatable and approachable. A lighthearted atmosphere helps people feel more at ease, reducing anxiety and encouraging participation.  Make sure to know your manager, if they are covering a serious topic or are a more no-nonsense kind of person, it may not be appropriate. It is important to read the room when incorporating humor. 

How to do it:

• Start meetings with a fun, inclusive icebreaker. For example, ask participants to share a funny story about something that happened to them recently or a humorous trait unique to them. . This invites people to engage without feeling pressured and sets a relaxed tone for the discussion ahead. Kick things off sharing your own to build confidence and model vulnerability.
• Leaders can use self-deprecating humor to put everyone at ease. By poking fun at their quirks or missteps, leaders can show that they don’t take themselves too seriously, which in turn helps others feel more comfortable speaking up.

Example: Imagine a cross-departmental meeting where tension is high due to tight deadlines. Kicking things off with a playful comment like, “Alright, let’s see if we can get through this meeting without mentioning the deadline… whoops, I already failed!” can diffuse some of the pressure. It breaks the ice and allows everyone to settle into a more open, collaborative mindset.

2. Enhancing Creativity and Problem Solving

Humor stimulates creativity by shifting participants into a more relaxed mental state. When we laugh, we release dopamine, which improves cognitive flexibility and problem-solving skills. In meetings where creativity is crucial—such as brainstorming sessions or project kick-offs—humor can help people think outside the box.

A 2021 academic paper The Effect of Humor on Insight Problem-solving found that people in a playful mood were better able to think divergently, generating more ideas than those in a neutral or stressed state. Humor lowers the stakes and encourages participants to take risks in their thinking, fostering innovation.

How to do it:

• Use humor strategically during brainstorming sessions. If the group hits a mental block, introduce humor to shake things up. For instance, challenge the group with absurd ideas, like “What would this product look like if it were designed by a superhero?” This kind of humorous reframe can help participants see the problem from a fresh perspective.
• Add playful activities or metaphors to encourage lateral thinking. Asking people to think of creative analogies, such as comparing the company’s challenge to an unusual scenario like “running a lemonade stand on Mars,” can be both humorous and enlightening.

Example: In one meeting, a team struggling to design a new user experience started jokingly comparing their product to a pizza, with the leader saying, “Let’s be honest, we’ve been stuck in ‘crust’ mode for a while now. How do we move on to the cheesy, gooey middle?” This humor spurred the team into a more creative flow, leading to new ideas that ultimately broke the design logjam.

3. Reducing Stress and Boosting Morale

Meetings can often be perceived as stressful, especially when they involve high-stakes decision-making or problem-solving under time constraints. Stress has a direct impact on people’s ability to perform well, causing them to shut down or become overly cautious. Humor acts as an antidote to stress, offering a mental reset that helps participants feel more relaxed and open to contributing.

Humor doesn’t just reduce stress; it also boosts morale. When people laugh, they feel more connected to those around them, which can create a sense of community even in a formal setting. Shared laughter is a bonding experience, and it fosters a positive atmosphere that can carry through even after the meeting ends.

How to do it:

• Plan intentional moments of humor during long meetings to prevent burnout. This could be a funny video clip related to the topic at hand, or simply sharing a lighthearted anecdote about a past challenge.
• Use humor to celebrate small wins or progress during a difficult project. For example, if a major milestone is reached, you could joke, “Alright team, we’ve moved from ‘barely surviving’ to ‘definitely thriving’—nicely done!”

Example: My team was in a high-pressure pitch meeting, facing mounting deadlines and I used humor to release tension. Halfway through the discussion, I announced a “joke break” and shared a quick story about a time when a meeting went hilariously off track. The team returned to the discussion more focused and re-energized, ready to tackle the task at hand with a fresh perspective.

4. Strengthening Team Dynamics

A team that laughs together often works well together. Humor builds camaraderie and helps individuals bond through shared experiences. This is especially important in diverse teams, where people come from different backgrounds and may not have a lot in common. Humor can be a unifying force, creating a sense of shared identity.

Team cohesion is essential for productivity, and humor can accelerate that process. It reduces the perceived distance between people and fosters psychological safety—the feeling that it’s okay to take risks and make mistakes in front of others. This is particularly important in meetings, where participants may otherwise hesitate to voice bold ideas or dissenting opinions.

How to do it:

• Use humor to celebrate diversity within the team. For instance, lightheartedly acknowledge different work styles or personalities. “We’ve got the spreadsheet lovers on one side of the table, and the free spirits on the other. Let’s see if we can find some middle ground!”
• Encourage spontaneous moments of humor that naturally arise during discussions, but ensure that they’re always respectful and inclusive.

Example: During a team-building workshop, the facilitator encouraged participants to share a funny personal story about their first day on the job. This exercise not only brought a lot of laughs but also revealed some shared experiences, helping to build stronger relationships among team members.

5. Reinforcing Key Points in Memorable Ways

Humor is a powerful communication tool. It has the unique ability to make key points more memorable, as people tend to recall information that’s tied to an emotional response—such as laughter. This can be particularly useful when wrapping up meetings or presenting action items.

How to do it:

• Use humor to summarize key takeaways at the end of a meeting. For instance, you could create a humorous metaphor or visual that captures the main points in an engaging way.
• Lightly joke about the next steps to make them more digestible, like “So, Team A, you’re setting the stage—product launch—and Team B, you’re handling the spotlight—our marketing campaign!”

Example: At the end of a strategy meeting, a facilitator summarized the meeting’s three main takeaways by relating them to a popular movie. “We need to be like the Avengers: we have to work as a team, use our individual superpowers, and most importantly, we’re probably going to save the day in the final five minutes.” The group left the meeting with the key points top of mind, thanks to the playful analogy.

Appropriate Humor in Professional Settings: Striking the Right Balance

Not all humor is created equal, and what’s appropriate in a professional setting can vary based on context and culture. It’s important to strike a balance between humor that lightens the mood and humor that could be misinterpreted or alienating. The goal is to keep humor inclusive and positive, ensuring everyone feels comfortable and engaged.

Types of Humor That Work:

• Self-deprecating humor: When done right, poking fun at your own quirks or mistakes can help humanize you as a leader or facilitator. It shows humility and can put others at ease, making them feel more comfortable.
• Shared experience humor: Making light of funny or relatable moments the team has gone through together can be a great bonding tool. It reinforces the idea that you’re in it together.
• Light sarcasm and wordplay: A playful pun or bit of wordplay can inject some fun into discussions, especially when the meeting content is dense or dry.

Types of Humor to Avoid:

• Offensive or divisive humor: Jokes that touch on sensitive topics like race, gender, religion, or politics can alienate participants or even cause harm, even when no malice is intended.
• Targeted humor: Avoid humor that singles out individuals in a negative light or that makes fun of personal characteristics. It’s important to not make anyone feel uncomfortable or put on the spot.
• Excessive sarcasm: Sarcasm can easily be misinterpreted, especially in professional settings where tone is critical. Use it sparingly, and always ensure it’s light and playful, not biting or mean-spirited.

Cultural Sensitivity: Navigating Humor Across Diverse Groups

Humor is deeply tied to culture, and what’s considered funny in one part of the world might not be in another. This makes cultural sensitivity a crucial consideration when using humor in meetings, especially when you’re working with global teams or diverse groups. Humor that feels harmless to one person may be confusing—or even offensive—to another due to differences in cultural norms or language barriers.

Tips for Navigating Cultural Differences:

• Stick to universal humor: Focus on humor that most people can relate to, like shared experiences in the meeting or light, neutral jokes about common topics. Avoid humor that requires a deep cultural context to understand.
• Do your research: If you’re working with an international group or people from different backgrounds, take the time to learn about their cultures and what types of humor are considered appropriate.
• Be cautious with sarcasm and irony: Sarcasm and irony often don’t translate well across languages or cultures, so it’s best to avoid them unless you know your audience well.

Conclusion: Humor as a Facilitation Tool

When used thoughtfully, humor can transform meetings. It helps people engage fully, encourages creativity, reduces stress, and strengthens team dynamics. But like any powerful tool, humor needs to be used with care—timing, tone, and inclusivity are critical factors to keep in mind.1

Whether you’re leading a brainstorming session, navigating a high-stakes meeting, or simply facilitating day-to-day team check-ins, consider how humor can enhance the experience. By fostering a positive, lighthearted atmosphere, you’ll create an environment where participants feel free to contribute, collaborate, and connect.

The next time you’re in a meeting, don’t be afraid to add a little humor—but always use it with care, consideration, and inclusivity in mind.