The Power of Humor in Business: How to Make Your Presentations More Engaging

Harnessing Humor: How Laughter Can Make Your Message Stick

As a keynote speaker whose mission is to Improve People, Performance & Productivity with a Smile I’ve learned over the years that humor is one of the most powerful tools in communication—whether I’m speaking to a room full of corporate leaders, nurses, or job seekers. But here’s the thing: humor in business isn’t just about getting a laugh. It’s about making a real connection and reinforcing the message you want people to remember.

Why Humor Matters in Business

Like you, I’ve sat through my fair share of dry, data-heavy presentations—the ones where the speaker reads directly from the slides, the audience starts checking their emails, and you wonder if time has actually slowed down. I often silently sympathize with those who have to sit through continuing Ed sessions where the only thing that keeps the awake is the noise from the snoring attendee next to them who is using your shoulder as a pillow.  I work really hard not to be that speaker by adding relevant humor to my presentations. Humor designed to reinforce my message.

What I’ve found is that when you inject the right kind of humor into a presentation or conversation, people sit up, engage, and actually absorb what you’re saying. Humor relaxes people. It turns a one-way lecture into a two-way connection. And let’s be honest—if people are smiling, they’re a whole lot more likely to remember what you said.

It’s Not About Being a Comedian—It’s About Connection

I get it—whenever I suggest using humor in presentations, people panic. “But I’m not funny!” they say. Here’s the good news: you don’t have to be a stand-up comedian to use humor effectively.

Humor isn’t about cracking jokes—it’s about relatability. It’s about using lighthearted moments, funny anecdotes, or a well-timed observation to connect with your audience on a human level. When people laugh, they let their guard down, and that’s when real communication happens.

The Biggest Myth About Humor in Business

Some folks still believe humor has no place in serious business discussions. They think that if a topic is important, it should be delivered with a straight face, zero personality, and a side order of monotony.

But research—and experience—tells a different story. Humor doesn’t weaken your message; it strengthens it. It makes people pay attention, process information better, and—most importantly—remember it long after they leave the room.

Making Your Message Stick Without Pulling Your Hair Out - (To Late for Me!!)

Using humor in business isn’t about telling random jokes—it’s about making your message more engaging and memorable. Here are a few things I’ve learned along the way:

• Know Your Audience

  – A joke that lands with one crowd might fall flat with another. Read the room, and tailor your humor accordingly.
• Keep It Relevant – Humor should reinforce your key point, not distract from it. If they remember the joke but not your message, it’s not helping.
• Timing is Everything 
• - A well-placed joke or lighthearted moment can break tension, highlight a key point, and make your presentation more dynamic. But it has to feel natural and it will feel natural if the humor is designed to reinforce your message

The Bottom Line: Humor is a Business Asset

At the end of the day, communication isn’t just about delivering information—it’s about making connections. The best presenters, leaders, and communicators use humor not to entertain, but to engage.

I’ve seen firsthand how a simple, well-timed laugh can transform a stiff, formal presentation into a conversation people actually enjoy—and remember. In a world where attention spans are short and competition for engagement is fierce, humor might just be the secret ingredient that sets you apart if you work at it.

This video showcases on my core concepts: L-A-U-G-H  - Five Secrets to creating humor – even if you’re not funny.

So no, humor isn’t about making business less serious—it’s about making it more effective. And if it helps us all stay a little saner in the process?