48 – Don’t Take It So Seriously: How to Engineer Fun at Work

Your host Alex Shevelenko welcomes Andrew Tarvin, CEO of Humor That Works, the world’s first "humor engineer," author of 501 Ways to Use Humor at Work, and former Procter & Gamble computer scientist. In this episode, Andrew shares his counterintuitive, systematic take on why conventional workplace communication frequently feels stiff and dry, especially in professional environments where employees hold back their sense of humor out of a fear that colleagues or leadership won't approve.

Andrew discusses the evolution of his career from balancing a tech job at P&G with late-night stand-up comedy to training over 35,000 professionals across organizations like IBM, P&G, and the FBI on bringing levity to work. He explains why workplace humor is fundamentally different from stand-up comedy—emphasizing that the goal is not to be edgy or perform a Netflix-level routine, but simply to make work slightly more fun and engaging. He introduces his "Humor MAP" framework—breaking down how Medium, Audience, and Purpose dictate how levity should be applied—and shares practical techniques like the "comic triple," extended metaphors, and the 5x5 List method to create pattern interrupts that reduce stress, reset perspective, and boost productivity.

The conversation also touches on the practicalities of go-to-market communication and corporate culture, including Andrew's advice on using curated humor (like the $1 million "porpoise" follow-up meme) to re-engage ghosted sales leads without trying too hard. He shares insights on using self-deprecating humor and "straw man" profiles to inspire behavioral change without making clients or team members feel stupid, as well as how AI can serve as a creative partner for brainstorming setups. This episode serves as a masterclass for any leader, marketer, or executive looking to move beyond dry corporate pitches and build a communication engine that drives real workplace engagement.

To connect with Andrew, find him on LinkedIn or visit his website at humorthatworks.com. You can also find his book, 501 Ways to Use Humor at Work, on Audible and Amazon.

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