{"id":899,"date":"2011-06-24T05:44:45","date_gmt":"2011-06-24T09:44:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/simplelife\/?p=899"},"modified":"2011-06-20T20:12:52","modified_gmt":"2011-06-21T00:12:52","slug":"leadership-sense-of-humor-get-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/simplelife\/2011\/06\/leadership-sense-of-humor-get-one.html","title":{"rendered":"Leadership–Sense of humor? Get One"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Sense of Humor--Get one<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There may be nothing that is as potent in leadership than a sense of humor, especially when you allow yourself to become the joke.<\/p>\n

I’ve watched gifted leaders turn some of their greatest blunders into a time of learning for everyone. \u00a0 Here are some helpful hints that I’ve gleaned from these men and women.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Taking yourself too seriously is deadly for a leader.<\/li>\n
  2. Begin to examine your attitudes and actions with a critical eye which searches for what others may find humorous.<\/li>\n
  3. Dispel anger by openly letting others know that you get the joke.<\/li>\n
  4. Allow your co-workers and volunteers to become part of this humorous experience.<\/li>\n
  5. Don’t ever laugh at the person who may criticize you. \u00a0But actively laugh at yourself when criticism is leveled at you.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Each year, Special Gathering takes 200 or more people on a retreat. \u00a0We are responsible for the safety and health of our members who are mentally challenged. \u00a0Most of them have an additional, secondary physical disability. \u00a0Tensions run high during the times we are transporting these people and setting up the retreat.<\/p>\n

    About five years ago, our executive director began to break down some of the tension by laughing at himself. \u00a0Those of us in leadership positions took up his banner by finding humor in our mistakes and stern attitude. \u00a0Our most valued volunteers and staff pushed the theme. \u00a0It has changed the sternness of this tense time into a much more relaxed atmosphere for everyone.<\/p>\n

    Finding the things at which others can laugh enhances–rather than diminishes–your leadership skills. If you don’t have a sense of humor, get one.<\/p>\n

    Photo by LadyBugPhotography<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    There may be nothing that is as potent in leadership than a sense of humor, especially when you allow yourself to become the joke. I’ve watched gifted leaders turn some of their greatest blunders into a time of learning for everyone. \u00a0 Here are some helpful hints that I’ve gleaned from these men and women.…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":387,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,5,20,3,40,61,10,127,147,8,85,12,4,41],"tags":[690,21,688,696,7,699,703,701,694,709,689,57,692,700],"class_list":["post-899","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-autism-spectrum","category-christianity","category-church","category-developmental-disabilities","category-faith","category-humor","category-inspirational","category-ladybug-photography","category-leadership","category-mentally-challenged-community","category-prayer-2","category-religion","category-simple-truths","category-spirituality","tag-autism-spectrum","tag-christian","tag-christianity","tag-church","tag-developmental-disabilities-2","tag-faith","tag-humor","tag-inspiration","tag-intellectual-disability","tag-leadership","tag-mentally-challenged-community","tag-prayer","tag-religion","tag-spirituality"],"yoast_head":"\nLeadership-Sense of humor? Get One - A Simple Life, a Childlike Faith<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/simplelife\/2011\/06\/leadership-sense-of-humor-get-one.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Leadership-Sense of humor? Get One - A Simple Life, a Childlike Faith\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"There may be nothing that is as potent in leadership than a sense of humor, especially when you allow yourself to become the joke. 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