There’s a difference between a joke and a humorous story. Jokes make fun of people and events. They get retold because the surprise they contain usually confirms a bias or hidden truth. But invariably, someone on the receiving end of the joke doesn’t hold the bias or see the truth. To make matters worse, they often see themselves in the people or events at the brunt of the derision. The odds a joke won’t offend someone goes down with every telling.
This can be a slippery slope for women and people of color. Self-deprecating humor can be useful but harmful if taken too far and too often in many cultures -- where it's interpreted as a lack of confidence or inappropriate for executives. As we continue to advise individuals to be authentic, we must also make sure that the messages and images we want to convey are received as intended. Leaders must be sensitive to the reactions of those around them and adjust if stories aren't landing as well as one hoped.
I love this article such a an eye opening message. I definitely learned from this aspect and will adapt this quality of good leader.
Thanks for stopping by with a comment this morning, Bushra.
This can be a slippery slope for women and people of color. Self-deprecating humor can be useful but harmful if taken too far and too often in many cultures -- where it's interpreted as a lack of confidence or inappropriate for executives. As we continue to advise individuals to be authentic, we must also make sure that the messages and images we want to convey are received as intended. Leaders must be sensitive to the reactions of those around them and adjust if stories aren't landing as well as one hoped.
This article is an eye opener. Thanks for sharing!