Founder connections
- Ed CatmullForeword authorCatmull wrote the foreword on humor, leadership behavior and Pixar's serious problems. Aaker and Bagdonas wrote the main book. The checked UK 2020 edition includes his contribution; the US Humor, Seriously is the same work, not another shelf addition. His foreword does not establish completed reading.Source
Summary
Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas examine humor as a practical part of working with other people. Based on their Stanford business-school course, the book combines behavioral research with lessons from comedy and the authors' work with organizations. It looks at how humor can affect relationships, influence, creativity and responses to difficult situations.
The chapters move from understanding humor to using it at work, leading a team and creating a workplace with room for levity. They also consider the limits and gray areas of humor. Ed Catmull's foreword relates the subject to Pixar's serious problems and to leaders showing their values through conduct. The focus is how humor can serve useful work and human connection.
Why read it Our view
Look at how your team handles tension and mistakes. Consider where lightness could help people connect or offer a new view, and where a joke would close the discussion. A leader's behavior sets the limits more clearly than a claim that the workplace is fun.