Lighten Up!

How levity helps lighten the load

You do your Monday morning walk-around and you feel it. The mood is heavy.

Even your most enthusiastic employees are working hard to fake it.

Maybe it's the shaky forecast you just shared. Maybe it's the drumbeat of grim world news. Whatever it is, it's pervasive, and it's moving desk to desk with you.

Before a bad day becomes a culture problem, have you considered humour?

For 15 years I worked at Sklar Wilton & Associates. Our leader, Luke Sklar, made me laugh - not with rehearsed jokes, but with well-timed quips and self-deprecating anecdotes dropped naturally into conversation. The effect was real: I trusted him more, liked him more, and felt more invested in the company's success.

Research backs this up: humour reduces cortisol, releases endorphins, builds psychological safety, and fuels creative problem-solving.

But here's why leaders avoid it - humour is personal. What lands for one person falls flat for another. And there's the quiet fear of looking like you're not taking things seriously enough.

Here's the reframe: leaders who use levity make hard times feel more manageable. You can lighten the load and hold the standard. These aren't in conflict.

You don't need a Second City course. Just read the room. A well-timed quip can reset the emotional tempo and, over time, build a stronger culture.