Since I also wrote my review of Arianna Huffington’s The Sleep Revolution while pulling an all-nighter, it is only appropriate that I write my review of a book about humor with the comedic timing of a broken metronome.
As fate would have it, back in 2013, I crossed paths with Professor Jennifer Aaker while studying in her class at an executive program for CTOs at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. There I was, surrounded by brilliant tech leaders, while Professor Aaker enlightened us on the power of storytelling in business—a skill so transformative that I later used it to negotiate with Delhi street vendors who could sell sand in a desert.
Those days, in my role as CTO of The New York Times, I dual-reported to Jill Abramson, the editor-in-chief, and to Marc Frons, the corporate CIO. I found myself ping-ponging between the newsroom and the business side like a tech diplomat with impostor syndrome in both realms. Each meeting required a different language: journalism-speak in the morning, business jargon after lunch. If only I’d had this book back then—perhaps my attempts at lightening tense budget meetings wouldn’t have landed with the grace of a caffeinated squirrel on ice.
Growing up in a family where literature and journalism were as essential as oxygen, I developed an appreciation for the art of narrative. But as any engineer knows, we’re trained to communicate with the emotional range of a scientific calculator. Data and logic might be the fundamental building blocks of communication, but without storytelling—that secret neural hook—they’re about as engaging as watching code compile.
The Serious Business of Humor
In “Humor, Seriously,” Aaker and Bagdonas—who together teach “Humor: Serious Business” at Stanford Graduate School of Business—make a compelling case for humor as a secret weapon in business and life. The book demonstrates how humor isn’t just a nice-to-have but a powerful tool for leadership, creativity, and human connection.
What makes this book unique is how it bridges academic research with practical application. Drawing on behavioral science and real-world examples, the authors showcase how humor can transform our work lives—a revelation as refreshing as finding out your conference call actually could have been an email.
The Humor Mindset
Rather than positioning humor as an innate talent that some lucky few possess, Aaker and Bagdonas frame it as a mindset and skill that anyone can develop. This perspective was particularly encouraging for someone like me, whose early attempts at workplace humor once cleared a room faster than a fire alarm.
The book explores how humor operates as a perspective—a way of looking at the world that allows us to find levity even in challenging situations. This isn’t about becoming a comedian, but rather developing an outlook that helps us navigate complexity with grace and authenticity.
I found myself reflecting on the times my teams faced impossible deadlines or technical disasters. The projects where we maintained our sense of humor invariably went better than those where stress dominated. Perhaps there’s something to this humor thing after all—beyond just making the coffee taste less like it was filtered through an old sock.
Leaders Who Laugh
One of the book’s strengths is its examination of how successful leaders use humor effectively. The authors share examples of executives and managers who leverage humor to connect with teams, defuse tension, and create psychological safety.
What struck me was how the most respected leaders often use humor not as an afterthought but as a deliberate strategy. These aren’t leaders who happen to be funny—they’re leaders who understand the strategic advantage humor provides in building trust and navigating difficult conversations.
During my tenure at various media companies, I witnessed how humor could bridge hierarchical divides and create moments of genuine connection. When my executive teams could laugh together, we invariably made better decisions than when we approached challenges with unrelenting seriousness.
The Truth About Workplace Levity
The myth that professionalism requires constant seriousness is thoroughly debunked in this book. Aaker and Bagdonas present evidence that appropriate humor can enhance, rather than detract from, our professional credibility and effectiveness.
The key word here is “appropriate”—the book doesn’t advocate for constant joking or humor at others’ expense. Instead, it offers guidance on reading the room and understanding the context for humor. This nuanced approach resonated with my experience navigating different corporate cultures, from traditional media to digital startups.
The authors emphasize that humor should punch up, not down—a principle that feels especially relevant in today’s workplace. Self-deprecating humor (a personal specialty) and shared experiences often provide the safest terrain for workplace humor, something I’ve found to be universally true from boardrooms to engineering standups.
The Technical Side of Laughter
For those of us who appreciate a methodical approach, the book offers practical strategies to incorporate humor into our work lives. Aaker and Bagdonas provide actionable advice on developing humor skills through observation, practice, and refinement.
They suggest starting small—looking for moments where gentle humor can create connection rather than aiming for big laughs. This incremental approach appealed to my engineer’s mindset: debug your humor in staging before deploying to production.
The book’s discussion of humor across different contexts feels particularly valuable in our increasingly global workplace. What lands well in a Silicon Valley conference room might fall flat in other settings. As someone who has worked with international teams, this cultural awareness resonated deeply with my experience.
Worth More Than a Chuckle
“Humor, Seriously” goes beyond merely advocating for more laughter at work—it makes a compelling case for humor as a critical leadership skill and wellbeing strategy. The authors show how humor can help us become more resilient, creative, and connected at work and beyond.
What makes this book stand out from other business texts is how it practices what it preaches. Aaker and Bagdonas write with warmth and wit, demonstrating that serious content doesn’t require a serious tone. The book itself becomes evidence of its central thesis: that humor enhances rather than diminishes the impact of important messages.
For leaders looking to build more human-centered, resilient organizations, this book offers both inspiration and practical guidance. In a world where burnout has become endemic and workplace engagement remains stubbornly low, the case for intentional humor feels not just compelling but necessary.
The Bottom Line
“Humor, Seriously” isn’t just another business book with clever anecdotes—it’s a thoughtful exploration of how we can bring our full humanity to our professional lives. Aaker and Bagdonas have created a rare business book that practices what it preaches—it’s genuinely funny while delivering valuable insights.
The next time you find yourself in a standoff with a particularly stubborn engineering problem or navigating a politically charged meeting, remember that humor might be your most underutilized resource. As the authors would say, it’s time we took humor seriously.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to practice my delivery before my next executive meeting. My goal is to graduate from “awkward silence” to at least “polite chuckle”—a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single dad joke.
Like what you read? Check out “Humor, Seriously” and discover how laughter might be your most strategic professional asset—no comedy school required.