Attempting humor in a professional context is like sales; you fail more than you succeed. Embracing and sharing these imperfect attempts creates an authentic connection. It shows others that it is normal to fail on the path to success, which helps combat widespread imposter syndrome.

Investors should view a founder's desire to learn skills like etiquette not as a weakness, but as a strong positive signal. It demonstrates humility, introspection, and a drive for self-improvement—key traits for a coachable and successful leader. The capacity for growth can be more valuable than pre-existing polish, identifying them as better long-term partners.

The perception that great comedians are simply 'naturally funny' on stage is a carefully crafted illusion. Masters like Jerry Seinfeld and Joan Rivers rely on disciplined, daily writing and meticulous organization. Their hard work is intentionally hidden to create the magic of spontaneous, effortless humor for the audience.

Blippar's CMO, who couldn't code, attributes her success to translating complex technology into compelling messages. Turning 'image recognition computer vision' into 'the Harry Potterification of print' is a superpower that bridges the gap between innovators and the market, proving more valuable than technical expertise alone.

In the services industry, high-quality work is merely table stakes. The primary differentiator is relationships, as clients ultimately choose to work with people they like and trust. Consequently, social skills and personal charm are not soft skills but crucial business assets for success.

Nostalgia is a low-risk strategy for incorporating humor into a business context. Recalling outdated practices (like finding jobs in a newspaper) makes people laugh while also demonstrating historical knowledge of an industry, making the speaker seem both funny and wise.

Brands, particularly in B2B, are often too serious and miss the power of humor. Laughter releases bonding hormones like oxytocin, creating an instant connection with an audience. It's a universal language that can dissolve conflict and make a brand more human and memorable.

As AI handles analytical and data-driven tasks, the critical skills for salespeople shift. Emotional intelligence, listening, communication, and influencing decisions are no longer secondary 'soft' skills but have become the essential 'hard' skills that drive success and cannot be replicated by machines.

Effective humor in a corporate setting identifies an insight the target audience universally agrees on but rarely discusses openly. Publicizing this shared secret, as Wiz did with its CISO toy store, creates a powerful sense of recognition and virality that traditional jokes cannot match.