John Adair's 100 Greatest Ideas for Brilliant Communication

Idea 27: Eight tips for using humour

Wit is the salt of conversation, not the food.

William Hazlitt, English essayist

If as a businessperson you are a frequent flyer, you know how we all tend to be only half-listening when the air crew begin to recite the safety instructions. Once, however, my ears suddenly pricked up. ‘There may be 50 ways to leave your lover,’ the steward said, ‘but there are only five ways to leave this aircraft.’ And then: ‘Please return your seat to its upright and most uncomfortable position. Later you may lean back and break the knees of the passenger behind you.’

The story makes a serious point: humour can grab someone’s attention and help to get your message across. Some people can’t tell a joke to save their lives, ...