The Importance of Humor In Business, In Life

Ken's Blog

As an intern, I learned two really important lessons (aside from actual medicine, of course)...

1) KISS -- "Common things are common.  When you hear the sound of hoof beats, don't think zebra... unless you're in Africa."

Yes, do entertain rarer possibilities, but only after ruling out the common stuff. It's a much simpler way to practice.

2) Humor -- I was quite overwhelmed in my early months as an intern. Not by the subject matter, but by the seriousness of the whole thing. No one laughed. And then a Senior Resident changed my life in medicine...

Rounds became a rock and roll show, it was "Laugh-In" on wheels as he joked with patients, nurses, interns, everyone. Not all the time, of course, there are serious moments. But at the right times.

And that's when it hit me... "Medicine does not have to be so serious. Have fun. Everyone will respond better to it. I will. Nurses will. And most importantly, patients will."

Adapt that philosophy to your life and you'll be amazed. Last year, for example, our pharmacist said to Janice when she entered the store, "Where's Ken? I laugh every time he comes in. The things he says."

That's not to say you have to be Jerry Lewis. Just have fun with people. For me, that was a skill to learn.

Don't lose your professionalism, of course. Act with integrity, care about the quality of your work, care about others, overdeliver, be customer-focused in your business, etc. And...

If you're having fun with people at the same time, you feel better, people like you and good things happen.

All the best,