Not a morning person?
are you a morning person?
🚚 I’m not, so I’m rarely caught laughing my head off on the school run. But this, on the back of a van we were following, tickled me no end.
📷 We didn’t get a pic before the van turned off quickly at a junction, so I’ve recreated it. Thank me later when you stop smiling! Or share it to give someone a grin?
WHAT'S THIS GOT TO DO WITH DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS?
☀️ A bright side, in fact...
Funnily (!) enough – humour goes a long way and without TRYING to be funny.
🥊 Incongruity Theory is thought to be the most dominant humour theory – that it’s the unexpected that’s funny, such as the unpredictable punchline.
😂 Hence it works in something more serious, because we’re more pent up, expecting formality or those involved being uptight!
SO HOW DO WE MAKE IT HAPPEN?
Simple: Being ourselves.
If you’re British, you may have a PhD in sarcasm so ‘I’m overjoyed to be here, aren’t you?’ might work.
🔪 Or, if it’s face-to-face and whilst clearing desk space, saying how you’re ‘Just removing any possible weapons’ as you tidy flip chart pens from the previous meeting.
🧠 Or something self-deprecating e.g. ‘Excuse the rudeness of my brain fog leaving me blank, right when you need me to recall a sensitive event’ (that’s not autobiographical, honest!).
EVEN IN A SERIOUS CONVERSATION, SOMETHING AMUSING AND DIFFUSING CAN HELP.
🛑 Obviously, sometimes it’s not helpful: A quip when someone else is mid-sentence doesn’t lighten the mood but rudely interrupts.
👀 The point is, don’t throw your personality away. Most people are funny when they see and state awkwardness or weirdness in moments – because it’s relatable.
And, just like someone’s writing in dirt on a van door, it could make someone’s day.
P.S. Want to be more yourself and stop being something you’re not?
Want to stop looking over your shoulder or playing games where rules seem unwritten? Instead, feeling in control, certain in your course of action, and who you’re being?
🪑 If this sounds what you need – then the Director’s Chair 1:1 Coaching Programme is for you, so get in touch!
“Thank you. I feel so much more content after going through it all, and seeing a progression plan that helps me - in many ways!”