November 2, 2017
An executive at a healthcare company, Adam Rosenfeld found himself supervising a skilled but unhappy staffer, Joan. Despite his efforts, Joan continued to struggle during meetings. An introvert, she often remained too quiet as participants monopolized the floor and derailed the agenda.
October 31, 2017
Q: Last week I sat in on a negotiation among some of our company’s partners. Just when it seemed that they had reached a stalemate, my boss cracked a joke that instantly lightened the mood. Almost magically, she was able to rejuvenate the conversation—and reemphasize her position. But I can also recall times when jokes have flopped in meetings. This experience left me wondering: When and how should I use humor during negotiations (if at all)?
