Get the "L" Outta There

No matter where you fall in the organization, you can have a positive impact on others.  Continuing our celebration of National Humor Month, here is another personal example of  how humor  helped me connect, break down barriers, and get along.
     
  I used to work for a very quiet man who would, when spoken to, sit and reflect on your statements before commenting.  He took in everything said to him and always responded very literally.  I found that my "off the cuff" remarks would sometimes be taken at face value - which was neither funny nor was it understood. 

  After awhile, I found myself feeling very uncomfortable and trying to be something that I wasn't when my boss was around.  In short, I was miserable.  I was at a loss as to how to handle myself (or the situation) so I called my previous boss and asked for his advice. 
 
   His advice was simple.  He said, "Just be yourself.  You are your best asset!"  Then he continued, while laughing, "Heck, I didn't like you at first until I got to know you."   I sat and thought about it.  He was right.  I decided to change it right then. 
 
  Luckily, that afternoon, the opportunity arose and I went for it.  I was standing in the office eating a bag of "Utz" potato chips.  You see, my last name is Lutz, so it's pretty close. 
  
  While there, my boss walked through, pointed at the bag, then me and said "Lutz - Utz". 
 
  I said, "Sir, did you know that my great grandmother started the Utz potato chip line in her basement at the turn of the century?" 
 
  This caught his attention, he stopped and said "No" and waited for me to finish.  I continued, "Yes, she started it and they were a huge success.  Something about the oil she used.  Anyway, as time moved she became concerned about how this new wealth would affect the family.  She was, after all, starting to amass a small fortune and it was right around the time of the Lindbergh kidnappings.  So, she decided to change the name to protect the family so she told her team to  ' Get the "L" out of there!'" 
 
  He stood there for a minute (reflecting as usual), looked at me, shook his head,  chuckled and then went to his office.  It was the only time I ever saw him laugh - even a little bit!  That was the turning point in our work relationship.  More importantly, it taught me that effectiveness comes through staying true to who you are and again that, if you want to make it, you must break it down with a laugh.

Each of us has a story.  Reach out and share them with the people around you.  If the walls are up, a humorous story will help break them down - when people are laughing they're listening!

Keep Leading, Laughing, and Connecting,
Chip