Humor Intelligence (HI): The Art of Healing, Harmonizing, and Being Heroic

A New Stress Doc ™ Concept and Applied Model

Building on the foundational concept of Emotional Intelligence, the Stress Doc proposes a compelling upgrade...

Humor Intelligence (HI):  The Art of Healing, Harmonizing, and Being Heroic

A New Stress Doc ™ Concept and Applied Model

Last week's blog -- "How to Talk to the Bully: Be Courageously Absurd and Use the Power of Metaphor:  Part II" -- highlighted two humorous interventions -- a) helping a child defuse hurtful teasing by classmates through courageous use of costuming and b) loudly skewering and momentarily disarming through sly wit a Terminator movie audience outraged (e.g., throwing objects at the screen) by a projector breakdown.

Link for "How to Talk to the Bully": Parts I and II: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/how-talk-bully-disarming-workplace-bullying-mark-gorkin/edit

Regarding the first vignette-intervention, one reader rightly expressed concern about the effects of using self-effacing humor in the face of bullying.  Will the immediate positive effects last or will the strategy boomerang, ultimately providing more bully fodder than food for thought.  These are questions certainly worthy of further reflection and study.  Sometimes, though, a momentary or small break in a paralyzing or vicious cycle opens a window.  For example, helping the youngster creatively and humorously address the presenting problem enabled mother and child to expand the therapeutic focus:  we now were able to move beyond the child's peer difficulties and engage healthy mother-child separation issues.  Clearly, both realms impact self-image, stress levels, and self-competence.

In fact, reader responses across the spectrum appreciated the healing, educational, and motivational power of humor.  Here's a brief feedback sample:

7/20/15

Mark this is so great. I was having this conversation with a Sikh community member who mentioned this. I will share this with him and other members. Thanks much,

SP

Executive Officer, Office of Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs

Iowa Department of Human Rights

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7/22/15

Great article-will use some of your pointers in my next training class.

TAG
Deputy EEO Officer at Department of the Navy

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7/23/15

I so enjoy your blogs and look forward to them in my linkedin mailbox!!!! You make me laugh!!!!!! Laughing is the BEST; it's so underrated!!!!!! Take care and keep bringing joy to so many lives!!!

CCH
Former Nurse Manager 

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This feedback along with recent brainstorming with a colleague really got the neurons firing.  I'm not sure why it's taken me so long to see the obvious.  Perhaps the omnipresent and ever-popular EI concept helped open the floodgates.  And reviewing some of my past writings made me realize I've been cultivating this idea...a strategic concept just waiting to see the "light" of day.  Hey, I've had the service mark to the term "Psychohumorist" ™ and have pioneered the field of psychologically humorous rap music -- Shrink Rap™  Productions -- for over twenty years.  Let's just say I finally had a little "Aha!" humor epiphany

So here it is, my new HI speaking and training program -- for keynotes and after dinner talks to two hour or two day trainings.  First is the program blurb followed by brief and then comprehensive program objectives.  If you have questions, any feedback, or would like more info, please email, stressdoc@aol.com.  As I like to say:

Seek the higher power of Stress Doc humor:  May the Farce Be with You!

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Humor Intelligence (HI):  The Art of Healing, Harmonizing, and Being Heroic

A New Stress Doc ™ Concept and Applied Model

Are you ready to take the next step beyond self-regulation and relationship building of Emotional Intelligence?...Critical in a 24/7, TNT -- Time-Numbers-Technology -- driven and distracted world.  If so, acclaimed speaker and “motivational psycho-humorist” ™ -- the Stress Doc ™ has the next generation concept and tool -- Humor Intelligence ™.  Consciously and adaptively using HI is not just self-affirming and self-regulating (humor is a great stress reliever); you will assist and inspire individuals, teams, and systems to:  a) laugh at their own flaws and foibles, egos and excesses, b) turn pain and conflict into purposeful and passionate, even playful, problem-solving, c) discover and design resilient "crystals" in challenging tasks and times, and d) diversely collaborate and synergize by blending individual creativity and interactive community.

Let the Stress Doc facilitate your EI to HI upgrade with this "Get FIT" -- FUN-Interactive-Thought-provoking -- Workshop, and especially his "Dynamic and Interactive Humor" group exercises.  Seek the higher power of Stress Doc humor:  May the Farce Be with You!

Don’t miss your appointment with the Stress Doc.

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Program Objectives

• The Science, Art, and Functions of Humor:  Humor Is Good for What AILS You

• Laughter, Letting Go, and Disarming Bullies and Power Struggles:

• Key Tips and Techniques for Becoming a Healing Humorist

• Passion Power Model:  Being Purposeful-Provocative-Passionate-PLAYFUL

• Confronting Your Intimate FOE:  From Fear of Exposure to Fun of Embarrassment

• Humor and the Work Team – Harnessing and Harmonizing Coordination, Morale and Productivity

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Humor Intelligence (HI):  The Art of Healing, Harmonizing, and Being Heroic

Comprehensive Outline/Objectives

A.  The Science and Art of Humor Overview

Distinguishing Healing vs. Hostile Humor:  Freud Quotes

Linking Emotional Intelligence and Humor Intelligence

Harnessing Hope;  Helen Keller and Mark Twain Quotes

Fusing Memory, Mastery and Mirth:  Ernst Kris and Stress Doc Quotes:

B.  Functions of Humor:  Humor Is Good for What AILS You

A = Arousal and Affiliation, Aggression and Absurdity

I  = Incongruity, Imagination, and Insight

L = Loss, Letting Go, and Liberation

S = Storytelling and Status Shifting Solidarity or Superiority

C.  Laughter and Letting Go

1.  Comedy and Tragedy:  Paradoxical Connection

2.  Embracing Surprise, Confusion, and Uncertainty

3.  Transforming Pain Into Purpose, Play, and Passion

4.  Self-Effacing Humor:  Taking Off the Mask, Making the Music

D.  Four Tips and Techniques for Becoming a Healing Humorist

1.  Distinguish Humor, Wit, and the Doc's "New KISS"
2.  Learn to Reframe:  Mirror, Mirror... and "Forms Funeral"

3.  Be Aware of Context, Play with Content; Serenity Prayer

4.  Be Vivid and Visual, Surprising and Self-Effacing; "Butterball Gambit"

Disarming Bullies and Power Struggles:

1.  Turning "Rage" into the "Out-Rage-ous

2.  Defusing Power Struggles Exercise

3.  Six "C"s of Power Struggles

4.  The "Egoal" Difficulty in Dropping the Rope

Stress Doc's Passion Power Model

1.  An Integrative Mindset-Moodset Model:  Cognitive-Affective and Gravitas-Comedia

2.  Five "P"s:  Being Purposeful-Provocative-Passionate-Playful = Philosophical

3.  Bringing a Creative and Compelling -- High Task and Human Touch -- Presence

4.  Identifying Strengths and Shadows and Applying the "Passion Power" Model

Confronting Your Intimate FOE
From Fear of Exposure to Fun of Embarrassment

1.  From Cultural Diversity to Mutual Humanity

2.  Misery, Mastery, Mirth and Memory Connection

3.  Distinguishing Neurotic Humiliation from Natural Embarrassment

4.  Putting on Your Life Jacket & Protective Vest; Team Chemistry; "AAA"

Benefits of Transforming Intimate FOE

Rapid and Real, Intimate and Mutual Sharing

1.  Accept Our Imperfections

2.  Embellish and Reframe Your Story

3.  Affirm Courage and Mastery

4.  Accessible, Self-Effacing & Spirited Leader

Humor and the Work Team – Harnessing and Harmonizing Morale and Productivity

1.  Reversing Departmental Resistance to Change (or "Thinking Out of the Coffin")

2.  Disrupting Escalating Group Tension When Consensus Is Critical

3.  Defusing Tension in a System-Wide Hazardous Condition

4.  The Most Popular Stress Doc Intervention:  3-"D" -- Discussion-Drawing-Diversity -- Team- and Community-Building Exercise

Seek the higher power of Stress Doc humor:  May the Farce Be with You!

Don’t miss your appointment with the Stress Doc.

Mark Gorkin, MSW, LICSW, "The Stress Doc" ™, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, is a national keynote and webinar speaker and "Motivational Humorist & Team Communication Catalyst" known for his interactive, inspiring and FUN programs for both government agencies and major corporations.  A former psychotherapist, “The Doc” is a training and Stress Resilience Consultant for the national, Atlanta-based company, TrainingPros and The Hays Companies, an international corporate insurance and wellness brokerage group.  He has also led “Resilience, Team Building and Humor” programs for various branches of the Armed Services.  Mark, a former Stress and Violence Prevention Consultant for the US Postal Service and is a recognized Critical Incident/Trauma Debriefing expert.  The Stress Doc is the author of Resiliency Rap, Practice Safe Stress, and of The Four Faces of Anger.  See his award-winning, USA Today Online "HotSite" – www.stressdoc.com – called a "workplace resource" by National Public Radio (NPR).  For more info on the Doc's "Practice Safe Stress" programs or to receive his free e-newsletter, email stressdoc@aol.com or call 301-875-2567.