Humor
A speaker would be delivering a talk to "just an unbelievable array of the rich and powerful".
After she started her presentation to about 800 people and a camera crew, she realized the audience was completely with her. For whatever reason, they just loved the story she was telling, they found things funny, and she thought it was funny that they thought it was funny.
The conditions were right. The audience was receptive, she was prepared and the humor was spontaneous. Experts say these factors are among the most important in using humor to your advantage.
Humor can help an audience feel relaxed. When you're watching someone on stage, irregardless of who, if they look uncomfortable, it makes the audience feel nervous. Humor puts the audience at ease, puts you in control on stage. Especially when something goes wrong and you need to undercut the tension.
People are more likely to remember you if you're entertaining, charismatic and funny.
Humor is great, but you have to be able to pull it off. That means picking the right circumstances. Any event characterized by gravity or seriousness, humor is best avoided. Stay clear of humor that may come across as sexist, conveys national stereotypes or relates to controversial topics.
The most effective approach to humor is to be cautious, considerate, low-key and, above all, natural.
Elizabeth Pain
American Association for the Advancement of Science
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