Years ago, I was blessed to be in a position to hold seminars with groups of educators designed to discuss and build leadership skills both informally and formally, internally – for the individual and externally for the school. As we discussed leadership skills and qualities, we would talk about new tools being put in our toolboxes as leaders. This year in Teach & Serve, I have decided to talk about many of those tools.
BRING THE FUNNY
There is a wonderful moment in the terrific show The West Wing when speech writers Sam Seaborn and Toby Ziegler are developing material for the President of the United States to deliver at the Annual Correspondents’ Dinner. These comments are intended to showcase the President’s lighthearted relationship with the Fourth Estate and are supposed to engage, amuse and challenge.
It is not going well for these fictional writers.
As they review their work, Sam says to Toby: “You know what we forgot? We forgot to bring the funny.”
Not every leader is funny. Not every leader has the ability to make light of situations. Not every leader can readily make people laugh. But every leader should consider sharpening this tool because bringing the funny tends to put everyone at ease.
Leaders should not forget to bring the funny (especially as the end of the year is SO CLOSE). The ability to make people laugh and to put them at ease should not be underrated. The work we do can feel relentless. Lightening things up is a welcome relief for those we lead. Leaders should use this tool readily and often.
Bring. The. Funny.