Brainstorming Humor
Posted by Ted Hopton on February 7, 2008
We’ve heard it before — humor helps to break the ice, etc. — but Professor John Morreall explains in this Fast Company interview specifically “Why You Should Include a Joker in Every Brainstorming Session.” It’s a short, fun read and it may give you some ideas for improving your next brainstorming meeting.
Humor makes us think more flexibly. People who think funny do better on creativity studies. To put it really simply, humor loosens up your brain to think of more possibilities and be more open to the wild and wacky ones.
He also comments on what the boss should do if somebody puts him or her down:
I don’t have a formula, but if there’s any way you can take it, take it. Willingness to expose yourself to criticism in a playful way just makes you look so much better and so much more human. People will feel a loyalty to that person that an authoritarian boss just cannot command.
Happy brainstorming!
