My initials (SL) also stand for Speaking and Listening, Sign Language, Skill Level, Service Level, Social Level and Spontaneous Laughter – all of which are great for communication!
I hope people do laugh in my training sessions: I aim to be entertaining even before instructive. If people are having fun and enjoying themselves, they will take in some of what I am saying. They will not want to sneak off in the tea break to “do some emails” and will stay for the practical exercises – which is where the real learning happens.
There’s a lot of research around people having fun and training. Humour activates the brain’s dopamine reward system, stimulating goal-oriented motivation and long-term memory, which means: humour can improve retention. Studies show that information presented with RELEVANT humor is better remembered than neutral content. So crack those jokes, get the Mother-in-Law gags out, if appropriate!
I am a bit of a Show Pony myself, as Kylie Monogue once said. Actually she said that once she embraced this: loving being up on stage, wearing fantastic outfits with stunning dancers all around her, doing amazing choreography, and wearing brilliant costumes etc – she thrived. Rather than trying to be understated and grungy.
I love nothing better than to have an audience in front of me (as my slightly exhausted family will tell you), where I can give free reign to my dad-jokes and larking about. They usually humour me for a limited time, and I like to think they are entertained.
For a corporate audience, or any group of trainees that I am working with, they humour me with even more attention, as they haven’t had time to get bored of me yet, plus they are polite – and earning CPD points* if they complete the course.
My point is:
…and this is my point: my initials conveniently stand for Speaking & Listening, and also Spontaneous Laughter. Do try to include some lighter moments in your training, if you’re a communications coach. And in fact, in any business communications, if appropriate. It will spark engagement, dopamine and retention.
*CPD = Continuous Professional Development
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