CEOs can learn a thing or two from comedians

by Brian McKim & Traci Skene on June 10th, 2009

“Preparation, confidence and creativity can give you an edge in effectiveness,” is the theme of a book aimed at CEOs, written by Roger Edward Jones, called “What Can Chief Executives Learn From Stand-Up Comedians?”

Jones doesn’t strike you as someone with a comedic streak. His book’s title, What Can Chief Executives Learn From Stand-Up Comedians? is not exactly a thigh-slapper. But he’s got street cred. He was on the train back to his office two years ago after leading a coaching session when the thought struck him that he needed to follow his own advice and move out of his own comfort zone.

He spent the next couple of months going to live comedy gigs and studying comedians like Bill Hicks on YouTube before signing up to do a live stand-up performance himself at a local comedy club. To make sure he didn’t back out, he invited 30 of his corporate clients. They all came.

We’re available for any CEO retreats, seminars or refreshers. We would welcome the chance to put some execs up on the stage and whip them into comedy shape.

We have one question: If chief executives can learn so much from standup comics, why aren’t more comics CEOs? (We suppose they are– they’re chief executive officers of their own corporations.)

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