Harvey Mackay Column- A Great Sense of Humor Makes Great Business Sense
In this April 16, 2026 column, Harvey Mackay argues that humor is a strategic asset in business. He begins with a light‑hearted camping anecdote to illustrate a systematic approach, then explains why humor captures attention, eases tension, cultivates a positive culture, and enhances persuasiveness. Mackay supports each claim with a series of short, humorous stories—ranging from a lottery prayer, a lobster‑serving general, an African gazelle‑lion proverb, a football coach’s quip, a 90‑year‑old farmer’s optimism, to a sales‑oriented heaven‑and‑hell tale. He concludes with a concise moral: laughter shortens the distance between people and, when used wisely, builds lasting business connections.
Topics
Humor as an Attention‑Grabbing Business Tool
Explains how humor engages audiences, making messages more memorable and increasing retention of key points.
Humor Diffusing Workplace Tension
Describes how jokes and light‑hearted remarks reduce stress in high‑pressure environments, fostering open communication and collaboration.
Humor Cultivating a Positive, Creative Culture
Shows that a light‑hearted atmosphere encourages team members to think outside the box and contribute freely.
Humor as a Persuasive Business Lever
Argues that appropriate humor can make arguments more compelling and help sway opinions in negotiations or sales.
Illustrative Anecdotes Demonstrating Humor’s Business Value
A collection of short, humorous stories (lottery prayer, lobster general, gazelle‑lion proverb, football coach, 90‑year‑old farmer, heaven‑and‑hell sales tale) that embody the earlier claims and provide memorable lessons.
Mackay’s Moral: Laughter as a Bridge in Business Relationships
Concludes with the principle that laughter shortens the distance between people and, when used wisely, builds lasting connections.