Two Truths, One Lie: How Mark Wessner Uses Humor to Break Down Hierarchy and Build Trust

So, um, this podcast is all about humor and how you've used humor to lead, lead.

So I just thought we'd start off with how do you use humor in your day-to-day life?

Yeah.

So I use it, uh, all the time actually.

And so growing up, uh, I was one of those kids who, uh, in the back of the classroom making all the smart-aleck comments under my breath, right? And so the people around me hear everything and they're laughing, but not loud enough that I got attention 'cause I didn't want attention on myself, right? But my mind is just finding everything funny, and so I'm making comments here and there.

And so that's f- carried me actually my whole life, all my careers, all my contexts.

Even in prison I would do that, right? And, uh, and some crazy stories.

So that is just...

It's kinda part of who I am.

Like I'm not a...

If you were to say, "Hey Mark, tell me a funny joke," I'd be like, "Uh-uh." I would struggle.

Oh, yeah.

But if it was just to kind of-

Chat

... you know, chat and be funny and-

Yeah

... whatever.

Use humor in all kinds of situations, uh, then that's totally me.

So in the workplace, uh, that's turned out to be a gift.

When I read the room correctly, uh-

Yeah

... it's turned out to be a, a gift, right? Because people are at ease.

Uh, and when people are at ease and see you as human, then they, they usually bring their best selves to the situation, right? They're like le-

Yeah, absolutely.

Yeah, right.