“Can I get everyone’s attention?”
The JetBlue pilot stands in the aisle, on a plane packed with passengers. We all sit scrolling through our phones or gazing out at the Boston tarmac. The cabin feels hot and we’re all just ready for the four-hour flight to start.
The pilot continues over the intercom,
“Eyes on me. . . Anyone drop this?”
We all look up. He grins, raising his empty hands.
“That trick works every time. . .
Even in Boston.”
Laughter fills the cabin.
He goes on to introduce himself as Captain Mark and gives us the flight details. But with a humorous twist on the usual question “When will we land?”
“Well, at Mach 2 on an F-16, we’d touch down in 47 minutes. More likely, we’ll arrive at the scheduled time.”
Again, laughter, and we feel closer to our fellow passengers as we share in this unexpected lightness.
From the start, and throughout the flight, his warmth and humorous spin on the usual script built an immediate sense of trust.
His delivery reminded me that great speaking isn’t about performing a script. It’s about finding a way to connect.
The Power of Being Human
As a leader, you have important data to share, a vision to inspire, and a team to motivate. You might feel the pressure to be serious, to prove your expertise and to cut out anything that seems like a distraction. But what if the most powerful tool you have to engage your audience isn’t a new data point, but a moment of genuine humanity?
Let’s dispel a common misconception right now:
You do not have to be a comedian to use humor effectively. Humor is not a performance; it is a strategic tool for connection. When used skillfully, it lowers an audience’s defenses and fosters a sense of rapport. It breaks through the noise and distraction and makes your message truly memorable. It’s the difference between reciting a script and starting a conversation.
Think about the pilot. He didn’t tell a joke. He simply used moments of unexpected wit. He showed us he was a real person, not just a voice over an intercom.
Shared laughter turns a room full of people into a temporary community. When you bring a touch of humor to your presentations, you’re signaling to your audience, “I get it. I know we’re busy, or deep in a complex topic. But we can have fun along the way.”
That’s how a trusted, confident leader builds true rapport.
Five Ways to Master the Art of Humor
You don’t have to be a naturally “funny person” to use humor. You simply need to bring more of you to the podium.
Here are five possible strategies to begin:
- Open with a Humorous Hook
Just like the pilot, you can use a humorous line or observation to seize the room’s attention. This could be a relatable anecdote or a lighthearted take on a shared experience in your work. Giving your audience a reason to smile at the start signals that this talk will be different. - Humanize Your Data
Don’t merely read a slide or script. Find a way to make your information relatable and memorable. The pilot’s Mach 2 F-16 reference gives us a perfect example: he took a technical point (flight speed) and made it witty and human, speaking directly to our shared desire to arrive quickly. - Plan Humorous Responses to Curveballs
What happens when you’re giving a talk and the A/V system fails or a cellphone rings? Instead of panicking, plan a response with some wit. This shows you’re prepared, poised, and still guiding the group’s experience. For example, when a phone rings you might interject: “I hope that’s not my boss calling to ask if I’ve finished my presentation yet.” - A Little Self-Deprecation Goes a Long Way
Be willing to poke gentle fun at yourself. Sharing a story about a past mistake or a funny mishap makes you more approachable and endearing. It also conveys confidence. It lets your audience know that you are not just an expert, but also human. - Leverage “Found” Humor
Seek out humor to amplify your presentation with material related to your mission and experience. A relevant quote, cartoon, a witty image (or even video clip) can break up an info-heavy presentation.
One of my favorite business cartoons, by Kaamran Hafeez, pictures a business meeting with a woman at a flip chart. The caption reads:
“I’m going to bombard you with graphs until you agree with me.” Sharing others’ humor reflects your own, and gives your audience a chance to connect and re-engage.
Humor is a key ingredient that makes your message land. The pilot didn’t just give us a speech; he gave us an experience. With his warm, humorous approach, he made us feel at ease and built trust each time he turned on his microphone.
As I disembarked, I stepped aside to thank Captain Mark and ask if I could share his words.
He smiled and said,
“Sure, but you should credit my co-pilot, too. It’s a team effort!” After which he invited me into the cockpit to take our photo.
He proved that to truly connect with an audience, you don’t have to be the best performer or the most polished speaker. You just have to be the most human.