Laugh First, Lead Better
My wife and I went to a friend’s house for a casual game night recently. Just a table, a few games, and a group ready to play. From the start it was loud, funny, and wonderfully simple. We laughed until our faces hurt. Nobody cared who was winning. For a few hours, the only thing that mattered was being together.
It struck me how rare that feels in our work lives. In most workplaces we script every minute, analyze every move, and guard every word. At game night none of that mattered. Everyone was present. Everyone was themselves.
It wasn’t just fun. It was humbling. No one held a title. Nobody’s résumé gave them an edge in trivia or charades. The quietest voice could land the best joke. The biggest laugh often came from the most unexpected moment. It was a gentle reminder that leadership isn’t about always having the sharpest answer. It’s about creating space where everyone can shine.
That kind of humility is powerful fuel for team building. When people see that you can laugh at yourself, they feel safe to take risks and speak up. Humor isn’t fluff; it’s a trust accelerant. It melts silos and lets ideas collide in ways formal meetings rarely do.
Here are a few ways to bring this spirit to work:
Open a meeting with something light. A quick story or a playful question sets a fresh tone and shows that being human comes first.
Be the first to laugh at yourself. Owning a small misstep with humor invites others to contribute freely instead of holding back.
Create time with no agenda. A brief team break, a shared game, or an informal conversation helps people connect as people, not just titles.
Rotate the spotlight. Give everyone a turn to lead a small moment—a warm-up question, a brief recap so each person feels their presence matters.
Making time for fun isn’t a distraction. It strengthens the glue that holds a team together when the stakes rise. Laughter builds trust, and trust speeds everything else: decisions, innovation, and resilience in the face of setbacks.
That evening reminded me of a simple truth: when you laugh first, you lead better. And when you lead better, your team doesn’t just get more done. They enjoy the journey together.
