Learning challenge: The link between laughter and learning

Person laughing from Flickr user Ed Schipul. Source: Fast Company

I loved reading "The Surprising Link Between Laughter and Learning" by Dana Bilsky Asher. I'm a big goofball, and I laugh a lot, so I'm always happy to see articles talk about the connections between laughter and positive outcomes. I already knew that laughter has been linked to a longer lifespan, but I hadn't heard about the link between laughter and learning.

I knew that being able to laugh, especially in high-stress situations, can relax the people involved. But I hadn't realized that that relaxation can further translate into better learning and leadership. It makes sense, though — it's easier to learn when you're in a more comfortable environment, and when you and others around you are more comfortable, it's easier to be a good leader.

I definitely want to try this in my next Daily editorial board meeting. We already laugh plenty in our meetings — we're nothing if not fun — but now I want to explore how that laughter and relaxed environment contribute to our learning and our leadership when working with our staff on our individual desks. I do also want to find a good balance between too much goofing off and too much seriousness!