Episode 84: Humor as a Business Skill: Leading Through Tension and Irony | Jan McInnis

"People want to work with the people they want to have a beer or a glass of wine with." Television monologue writer, author, and clean comedian Jan McInnis joins host Josh Seldin to prove that humor isn't just for the comedy club: it's a critical tool in the executive toolkit. Jan shares her front-line secrets from speaking to organizations like the Federal Reserve and the Mayo Clinic, showing leaders how to safely navigate the fine line of "too soon" comedy and leverage the humanizing power of self-deprecating wit. Josh and Jan dig into how leaders can command a room like a seasoned stand-up, manage corporate "hecklers" without losing power, and bypass standard corporate tunnel vision by intentionally scanning their environment for ironies. From coping with frozen salaries in Iowa to navigating truck drivers in a church basement, this episode is a masterclass in reading the room and breaking the ice when the pressure is on. Key Takeaways: ✅ The Energy Reset: How a single well-timed observation can instantly release the physiological tension of a room stuck in a low-energy or high-stress rut. ✅ The Anatomy of a Business Joke: Why leaders should avoid hot-button topics (politics, religion) and focus strictly on situational ironies and self-deprecating humor. ✅ Handling the Corporate Heckler: Learning from comedians how to diffuse disruptive, attention-seeking team members ("Bobs") without forfeiting your authority. ✅ Bypassing Corporate Blinders: How to trade presentation tunnel vision for sharp situational awareness by scanning agendas, environments, and team vibes. ✅ The Meme Advantage: Utilizing cartoons, idioms, altered acronyms, and visual memes to increase email open rates and reinforce dry corporate documentation. ✅ Starting Small: Embracing the "open mic" approach to management by testing out small, authentic expressions of humor before anchoring major company keynotes with it. Connect with Jan McInnis: Website: https://theworklady.com/ Substack: https://janmcinnis.sub... Instagram:  / jan.mcinnis Contact Josh: [email protected] Follow Leadership in Quarters: @leadinquarters on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Artwork: Adam Powell Music by Bensound.com/free-music-for-videos License code: FK3H7T3WKW6EAGTE Artist: : Benjamin Tissot #LeadershipInQuarters #JanMcInnis #HumorInBusiness #ExecutivePresence #ApproachableLeadership #CorporateCulture #ReadTheRoom #JoshSeldin #YourGrowthAscent