Business First Issue2 Vol5 CH11:Layout 1 23/10/2009 15:54 Page 78
The last word
A farmer sold a horse to a neighbour
The neighbour returned a few days
later and very agitatedly said ‘that horse
you sold me died!
The farmer quickly replied ‘Well he
didn’t do that kind of thing when he
was with me!
Hold on to your sense
of humour
In the midst of some difficult situations Bill Manson argues there is still
a need to ‘have a laugh’
I
n the middle of a recent challenging strategy session we immune system. It also decreases stress hormones that
had ‘one of those moments’. It was funny at the time and constrict blood vessels and suppress immune activity.
one of those moments when you had to be there to fully 4. Laughter is the best medicine, perhaps against heart
enjoy the humour, so I won’t recount the incident here. disease. A study found that people with heart disease were
Suffice to say that we had a really good, uncontrolled belly 40% less likely to laugh in a variety of situations compared
laugh – mostly at our own expense. to people of the same age without heart disease.
So what is so important about that you might ask? 5. Laughter is equivalent to a small amount of exercise. It
As one of my colleagues recovered some composure he massages all the organs of the body,
indicated that ‘this wasn’t the way I expected this session to 6. Laughter builds relationships and can establish or
go’ and I suppose there are many management meetings restore a positive emotional climate and a sense of
taking place across the country where what is on the connection
agenda is no laughing matter.
7. Laughter disarms tension and stress. And can help to
My other colleague offered an interesting perspective break barriers
which to some extent has prompted this article. She shared
8. Humour brings the balance we need to get through
the fact that many people had been asking her two main
the turbulence of life comfortably.
questions. One being, was she was daft getting involved in
9. A sense of humour can help you accept the inevitable,
starting up a new business at a time like this and the other
rise to any challenge, handle the unexpected with ease, and
being, was she enjoying her new role in Podiem. In
come out of any difficulty smiling.
response to the second her most common reply was that ‘it
was just great going to work each day knowing that at
10. Laughter adds spice to life; it is to life what cream is to
some stage we would enjoy a bit of a laugh!’ I should also
a cake.
say that we made much better progress with the strategy
session after that.
As I finished writing this piece my choice of subject
It was also interesting that our two interns left us recently
matter was completely affirmed with the unexpected arrival
and both had written very kind notes about their valuable
of the irrepressible Hugh Daly (of MLN conference fame)
experience but importantly, both mentioned that they
Somehow the conversation got round to the fact that M & S
really enjoyed the ‘craick’. Having a laugh is therefore not a
had been criticized in the media for reducing their
measure of frivolous activity but can actually be used to
allowable time for customer returns. As always Hugh can be
increase productivity and a more healthy environment –
relied on to share a humorous insight on every subject and
despite the pressures.
on the subject of customer returns this is one of his stories I
can commit to paper.
A farmer sold a horse to a neighbour . The neighbour
The Top 10 list returned a few days later and very agitatedly said ‘that
I found this Top 10 list amongst my training materials horse you sold me died!
which I offer for your consideration The farmer quickly replied ‘Well he didn’t do that kind of
Laughter dissolves tension, stress, anxiety, irritation, thing when he was with me!
anger, grief, and depression. Like crying, laughter lowers
inhibitions, allowing the release of pent-up emotions. After Final thought – leaders should remember that a person
a hearty bout of laughter, you will experience a sense of without a sense of humour is like a car without shock
well-being. Simply put, he who laughs, lasts. After all, if you absorbers.
can laugh at it, you can live with it.
1. Laughter is contagious. It not only makes people who
The Last Word is a new feature for Business First
laugh feel better, but also those who laugh with them.
encouraging contributions from inidviduals or groups
2. Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body's
who have something interesting, challenging or
natural painkillers, and produces a general sense of well-
controversial to say to our readers.
being.
For more information on contributing to The Last Word,
3. Laughter generally increases activity within the
please contact the editor, Gavin Walker, 9147 2119
e-mail gavin@businessfirstni.co.uk
78
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84