Humour, Seriously

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What to expect

'A smart, funny, brilliant book on how to be smart about being funny, brilliantly' Sarah Cooper

'This book has finally convinced me that joking around can actually be important and powerful' Ed Gamble

'Eye-opening, important and utterly enjoyable. Come for the humour, stay for the insights' Arianna Huffington

Humour is a superpower. If you're not using it, the joke's on you.

When we're kids we laugh all the time. The average four year-old laughs as many as 300 times a day, while the average forty year-old laughs 300 times every two and a half months! We grow up, start working and suddenly become "serious and important people", trading laughter for bottom lines, slide decks and mind-dumbing conference calls.

But the benefits of humour for our work and life are huge. Studies have shown that humour makes us appear more competent and confident, strengthens our relationships, unlocks creativity and boosts resilience during difficult times.

Dr. Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas are on a mission to help everyone discover the power of humour. Based on the popular Stanford Business course, this book will show you how to mine your life for material, explore the Four Deadly Humour Myths and help you figure out which style of humour you fall into - The Magnet, The Sweetheart, The Sniper or the Stand Up.

Drawing on behavioural science, advice from world-class comedians and stories from top leaders, Humour, Seriously will show you how to harness the power of humour every day.

Critics Review

  • Humour is magical. It can make fear and pomposity vanish and creativity and resilience appear in their place. The ultimate guide to using the magical power of funny as a tool for leadership and a force for good, Humour, Seriously is an intoxicating mix of science, strategy, and slapstick – a knee-slapping, mind-expanding tour de force

    Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of When,, Drive, and A Whole Mind
  • A smart, funny, brilliant book on how to be smart about being funny, brilliantly. And I’m not just saying that because they say I am smart, funny, and brilliant in it. Buy it

    Sarah Cooper, Comedian and author of 100 Tricks To Appear Smart In Meetings
  • I’ve learned (often the hard way) that the best way to be taken seriously is to not take yourself too seriously. My teams are always at their best when approaching problems with levity, which entails both humility and optimism and always engenders trust. Plus, it’s more fun – like this book!

    Eric Schmidt, former CEO and Executive Chair of Google (Alphabet)
  • A sharp, incisive, and genuinely funny read. Humour, Seriously translates the knowledge of the world of comedy to tools that actually work in the world of business

    Anne Libera, Director of Comedy Studies at The Second City
  • If you think your workplace would work better if everyone laughed more, this is your playbook

    Chip Heath, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Power of Moments
  • I’ve always used humour as a secret weapon at Spanx. Jennifer and Naomi make a scientific case for the importance of humour and show it’s an incredible way to connect with customers and build culture. This book will help anyone embrace the power of laughter

    Sara Blakley, Founder and CEO of Spanx

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