Humor, Seriously: Why Humor Is a Secret Weapon in Business and Life (And how anyone can harness it. Even you.)

Based on a popular course at Stanford's Graduate School of Business, this book explores how humor can be used as a tool in business and life. Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas draw on research from behavioral scientists, comedians, and business leaders to explain how humor works and how readers can develop and apply it more effectively. The authors address how humor strengthens relationships, reduces stress, builds resilience, and improves performance under pressure. They examine what makes something funny, how to identify material from your own life, and how to recognize your personal humor style. The book covers practical applications: using humor to rebuild connections, projecting confidence and authenticity at work, and creating environments where creativity and levity can flourish. The authors teach that humor is a learnable skill accessible to anyone, supported by evidence that it serves as a valuable tool for leadership and human connection during times of uncertainty.