The ROI of LOL: How Laughter Breaks Down Walls, Drives Compelling Storytelling, and Creates a Healthy Workplace

by Steve Cody, Clayton Fletcher

Overview

Laughter is a powerful remedy to what ails today’s teams and organizations.

There are a host of neuroscientific explanations for why laughter makes us feel so great. Laughter triggers "feel good" chemicals in the brain which activate opiate receptors throughout your body and mind. Creating a workplace culture in which laughter is not only allowed but expected is an important step in building the trust, openness, authenticity, storytelling, and teamwork (TOAST) that are essential to any healthy collaborative environment. It also has a role in fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion—as explained in a special afterword from Malcolm Frierson, PhD, Loyola Marymount University on the role of comedy in DEI training.

What all this means for your business is that by harnessing the prodigious power of your own unique individual sense of humor (and empowering your employees to do the same), you can increase morale, collaboration, communication, and productivity. You can find new and unexpected ways to connect with your external stakeholders. And you can have fun doing it.

• Learn the role laughter plays in the five critical elements of a strong corporate culture: Trust, Openness, Authenticity, Storytelling, and Teamwork.
• Understand how the skills learned by stand-up comics like reading a room, being vulnerable or self-deprecating, listening, and overcoming objections are critical to leaders in today’s business climate.
• See how improv fosters teamwork and can be a unifying force in any organization.
• Gain insights into how other kinds of comedy like sketch comedy and creative collaboration can be applied in a business setting to build critical skill sets.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781400243709
Publisher:	HarperCollins Leadership
Publication date:	10/17/2023
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	476,970
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Steven Cody is the founder and CEO of Peppercomm, a Ruder Finn Company and a fully integrated strategic communications firm headquartered in NYC, with offices located in San Francisco and London. In that role he is responsible for everything from implementing strategy and counseling clients to leading business development and bringing new products and services to market. In short, he does everything but clean windows.

Clayton Fletcher is a NYC-based stand-up comedian, actor and writer who has been featured on Hulu, Sirius/XM, MSNBC, and ESPN. His smart, clean, provocative comedy is geared towards audiences hungry for laughs without the crude shock value that is prevalent in stand-up today. Clayton has taught thousands of aspiring comedians (and thousands of brave businesspeople) how to unlock the prodigious power of truth in comedy. He has served as Chief Comedy Officer at Peppercomm for 13 years.

Editorial Reviews

'Laughter is good for the soul and business! This remarkable book illustrates how humor can improve morale, strengthen team cultures and relationships, as well as spark creativity in organizations.'

Yanique Griffin-Woodall

'The geniuses of comedy! Cody and Fletcher share hilarious stories and evidence-based insights of turnkey techniques—based on stand-up, improv, and sketch comedy—to demonstrate the power and desperate need of fusing humor into the workplace to strengthen leaders and organizational outcomes. I loved the book. However, it is missing the 'Top 10 list of funny leaders' of which I would expect top billing.'

Chairman and CEO of The Institute for Public Relat Tina McCorkindale

'Steve and Clayton's engaging new guide to the use of humor in the workplace shines a light on how comedy is conducive to empathetic leadership, engaged employees, and better communications. I, for one, am sold on the power that humor can have in business!'

CEO of Ruder Finn Kathy Bloomgarden

'At the heart of good communication is wit and wisdom — and at its best a good laugh. In these contentious days a little levity can go a long way creating a more caring and open workplace. Steve Cody and Clayton Fletcher remind us of that fact and show us how.'

co-host of The Crux (of the Story) podcast and sen Mike Fernandez

'These master storytellers have written a much-needed business book that is as practical as it is entertaining. The ROI of LOL is must-read for all leaders looking to reimagine how they develop new products, become more strategic, leverage conflict, and create enviable cultures.'

Co-founder of Medius Advisory Group leadership con Courtney Harrison

'Clayton Fletcher is an outstanding comedian and teacher. I cannot think of anyone better suited to teach you how to make your home or workplace funnier and happier.'

Gary Gulman

'Indulge in the laughter, embrace the lessons, and embark on a profound leadership transformation. Steve and Clay have gifted us with a book that is timely, thought-provoking, and a catalyst for positive change.'

Award-winning author of You Are Enough Charlene Wheeless

'Comedians tell stories and jokes based on truth and this timely book reminds business leaders not to take ourselves too seriously while finding the humanity (and hilarity) in how we do our daily work.'

CCO of Mubadala Brian Harrison (Lott)

'Steve has done a great service for workplaces by reminding us of the value that humor brings to work. It defuses tensions, enhances teamwork and often makes new perspectives possible to hear. He'll inspire many to see work and levity in a new light.'

SVP and Chief Communications Officer of Duke Energ Oscar Suris

'Steve Cody understands the profound power of humor in building human connections in business. Steve's a funny guy, and he applies that talent in a purpose-driven way: to forge meaningful relationships with employees, customers, industry leaders and others who are essential to his company's business. His humor creates stronger bonds; he never chases a laugh at others' expense. I guarantee a strong ROI if you invest the time to read this book and see the magic come to life.'

Professional-in-Residence of the University of Flo Pat Ford

'Comedians tell stories and jokes based on truth and this timely book reminds business leaders not to take ourselves too seriously while finding the humanity (and hilarity) in how we do our daily work.'

CEO of Mubadala Brian Harrison (Lott)