Tech Troubles and Tension Tamers: Finding Humor in High-Stress IT Environments

Show Notes: https://katedavis.ca/richard-leest-th...

Summary
Kate Davis sits down with Richard Leest, Director of IT Services for York Region, to explore the role of humor in the workplace. Richard discusses his extensive experience in IT, emphasizing the importance of integrating humor into leadership to foster trust, collaboration, and stress relief. They share personal anecdotes, including stories about managing stress through levity and the unexpected impact of a joke on a serious situation. Tune in for insights on how humor can enhance productivity and create a positive work environment.

Timestamp Summary
0:00 Welcoming Richard Leest
2:08 Role and Responsibilities of Richard Leest
3:22 Humor in Leadership
6:04 The Importance of Humor in IT
9:52 Team Collaboration and Humor
12:43 The Balance of Humorous Leadership
16:22 Challenges and Humor in IT
19:42 Personal Benefits of Humor
20:50 Intergenerational Workplace Humor
23:42 Team Building and Humor
25:28 Practical Applications of Humor
27:35 Productivity and Humor
30:08 Starting Small with Humor
33:26 Funny Stories from Richard's Past
35:25 Final Reflections on Humor in Leadership


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Welcome to Humor in the C-Suite! The podcast where I, Kate Davis, interview leaders, executives, and business owners on using humor and levity to create an extraordinary work culture. I want to ask the questions that we all want answers to, like… Does humor help us or harm us at work? Does humor change our perception of a problem? And how do our leaders use humor to inspire curiosity, success, and innovation? I want to be a fly in their chardonnay, I mean a fly on their wall. Honestly, I’m as curious as you are…So join me and a guest every week for Humor in the C-Suite.