Humor creates connection!

Having fun on stage
What advice do you get from your colleague before you have to share an important message? 'Don't forget to say that...'. Recognizable? Many comedians say "have fun!" to each other before they take the stage. It's simple but solid advice. During a performance, my audience looks at me to see how they should feel about what I am saying. When you exude fun on stage, your audience will have fun too. So your attitude on stage is contagious! Just look at the fun Obama exudes during his Thanksgiving speech. He proves that a smile can light a thousand candles.

Lights out, self-mockery on!
Obama possesses an innate quality to turn the criticism he receives into a strength. Just as a judoka makes his opponent's energy work for him. Obama regularly uses the criticism from his opponents to mock himself. The audience enjoys that. Watch how he pokes fun at the idea that you should engage with your enemies, how he turns the discussion of his origins to his own advantage and mocks the physical toll the presidency has taken on him. Obama shows that he is an ordinary man of flesh-and-blood, and that deepens the connection with his audience. Self-deprecating can be powerful, if used wisely. Once you bring yourself down, it also gives you permission to criticize the actions of others. Just watch, many comedians often mock themselves first, before "society" has its turn.

Wit is the salt of conversation, not the meat
Obama is, of course, a politician and therefore a message of substance will always be central. Humor is secondary to substance. As long as you tell something on stage that contributes to your message or is useful, it is less of a problem if your joke does not land. After all, your audience has then learned something substantive from your story. Obama combined this brilliantly in his 2012 State of the Union address. He actually knows his pun is pretty bad, but because he makes a good point in terms of content, he gets away with it. See his grin before he starts sharing it...

Conjure a smile on the face of your audience!
"Peace begins with a smile"; beautiful words from Mother Theresa. As you know, humor can take the chill out of the air, bring people together and increase a sense of togetherness. And that connection is a good breeding ground for magic in your communication. So take inspiration from Obama. Have fun, occasionally mock yourself and make sure your humor serves your story. Put a smile on your audience's face regularly in 2017!