Humour as a leadership skill: How to lead with laughter
Vrije University - Summer & Winter graduate programs
Key Information
Campus location
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 week
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
EUR 525 *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* VU students
Introduction
This course teaches the skills of creating, selecting, and appropriately using humour to enhance one's leadership at work.
Developing humour skills (from humour appreciation to curating, producing, improvising, and knowing when to abstain from humour) is becoming a key interpersonal competence for accomplished leaders. This course aims not only to equip participants with research-based knowledge of types of humour and their different effects in leadership, but also with the ability to free their creativity and to practice with creating and using humour in leadership circumstances.
"I am just not that funny" is what many managers still say today, when asked whether they use humour at work. Only 50 years ago, managers would have similarly thrown their hands in the air and said, "I'm just not a born leader!". We know today that leadership can be developed. It is time to embrace the notion that humour can be developed too.
Participants will learn about the several types of humour and their effects on follower and organisational outcomes, about the psychological antecedents of humour, about factors that influence how humour is received by various audiences. They will practice with releasing their own creativity, deconstructing and reconstructing jokes, preparing a humour-supported business presentation, improvising with humour in direct interactions. They will learn to avoid common traps presented by humour in a work context, to master verbal and nonverbal humour and to create a "personal humour style" that fits their own personality and preferences.
Gallery
Ideal Students
This course is ideal for Master's students and professionals who have at least several years of work experience and who are in a leadership position or are preparing for a leadership position. However, advanced bachelor's students are also welcome, as the course can actually gain from having a diversity of experiences in the classroom.
Knowledge about the basics of leadership theory and practice is desirable, though not mandatory.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Equal Access Scholarship
Application procedure
The application deadline has expired. It is no longer possible to apply for the Equal Access Scholarship.
Great that you are interested in applying for the Equal Access Scholarship. You can apply via this link (expired) for the scholarship from 1 February and 1 April. Please be aware that it is only possible to select one course.
The results of the scholarship selection will be announced in mid-May. Since we have a limited number of scholarships available for a large number of applicants, we suggest - if possible! - to complete your payment at the time of your course application to guarantee your place in the course. However, if you are not able to come without the scholarship, you can just wait until the announcement. If you would like to come, regardless of whether you will be granted the scholarship, it is best to secure your place in the course by completing your payment via our regular application form. If the scholarship is granted to you, the tuition and accommodation fees will be reimbursed.
Deadline to submit your Equal Access Scholarship application: 31 March (23:59 CET).
Photographer Scholarship
Do you love to capture moments, people, and surroundings on your smartphone/camera? Do you have good editing skills and a passion for social media? Become our summer school photographer! This photographer scholarship is only offered to those participating in a 2-week course or in case you join us for both sessions.
What do we offer:
- €500 discount on tuition fee
- A number of social activities for free (allocated by summer team, requirement: must take photos)
What do we expect from you:
- Photos of your time at VU Amsterdam Summer School (photos of fellow students, Amsterdam, excursions, and social program)
- Creating content/story takeover on the VU Amsterdam Instagram account
- Participation in the social program (free of charge and based on availability)
- Attending the photographer kick-off meeting
Application procedure*
Please send a short video where you introduce yourself (approx. 30 seconds-1 minute) and some examples of your photo work to [email protected], please use 'Photographer Scholarship' as the subject line. It is important to use your own smartphone or camera. Deadline for applications: 14 May 23:59 (CET).
As the Photographer application deadline is after the course registration deadline, it is important that you apply and pay for the course you are interested in before the application deadline of 1 May. If you end up winning the scholarship, then you will be reimbursed the €500 that the scholarship grants. If you are not granted the scholarship and are not able to join the course without the partial grant, then you can still receive a full refund until 16 May. If you are not able to join without the grant then you can also decide to wait until the winners are announced - and thus not apply for the course beforehand - however, this could mean that the course you are interested in is not available anymore. We, therefore. highly recommend, if possible, to apply via our application page before the official course registration deadline.
*If you are a summer Exchange student or a university partner nominee (course fee and/or housing is funded by your university), then you are, unfortunately, not applicable for this scholarship.
Program Outcome
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Have a complete understanding of frameworks applicable to humour in leadership, its antecedents and outcomes, and conditions under which it may misfire.
- Have enhanced self-confidence about being able to develop their humour abilities and the practical tools to do so.
- Have a deeper understanding of their own "humour style" in connection with a deeper understanding of themselves as (future) leaders.
- Be more effective communicators and influencers in a leadership context.