The most powerful, yet underutilized, tool in business? According to Ethan Blumenthal, Founder/CEO of Knuckleball Comedy, that tool is laughter! We interviewed Ethan, who specializes in bringing strategic humor to corporate environments, to learn about adding humor to a business environment. From team building to leadership events, Ethan reveals how comedy can engage audiences, build connections, and make messages stick without sacrificing professionalism. As he demonstrates through real examples, being funny isn’t just about getting laughs, it’s about making your content impossible to forget.
INAS: What’s the biggest misconception people have about incorporating humor into professional presentations?
EB: The biggest misconception is that humor is somehow at odds with being professional. People think that to be taken seriously, they need to be stone-faced and boring. But humor can be a powerful tool to engage audiences, build rapport, and make messages more memorable. It’s not about being a stand-up comedian; it’s about being authentic, relatable, and willing to take risks.
INAS: When is humor inappropriate in a professional setting, and how can speakers recognize those boundaries?
EB: Certainly if your humor might belittle or mock certain groups, there is just no reason for it and you should always stay away. There are so many ways to be funny without even coming close to saying something inappropriate. If there is a serious topic at hand, then you need to read the room. Most people are able to make that judgement. But a good rule of thumb is if you’re ever unsure, no one is going to be mad at you for not saying something funny.
INAS: Can you share a specific example of how you’ve seen humor transform an otherwise dry presentation?
EB: So my wife works in the healthcare space and she had to deliver a handful of presentations around some remarkably boring healthcare/health insurance topic. She delivered the first one in Milwaukee, came home and said I have to do something about this to make it go better for the next one. I went through the presentation with her and added a few jokes here and there, just to keep the audience on their toes. Not only did the next few presentations, all in different cities, go well, but she even had people come up to her afterwards and say, “you know if this whole healthcare thing doesn’t work out, you could be a comedian.” I’m pretty proud of that one. If you know what you’re doing you can take the most boring topic imaginable and make it sing with a little humor.
INAS: What’s your process for tailoring your comedy style to different corporate audiences and industries?
EB: When working with corporate audiences, I try to get a sense of their industry, culture, and values. I want to know what makes them tick, what they care about, and what they find funny. I also try to incorporate current events, pop culture, and relatable experiences into my humor. It’s about finding the humor in the everyday and making it relevant to the audience.
INAS: How should speakers recover when a joke falls flat during a presentation?
EB: When a joke falls flat, don’t panic! You can certainly move on and pretend nothing happened and people will just follow along with you to wherever you go next. But I think a savvy veteran would call out their joke that fell flat and find a way to turn the very fact that it fell flat into something funny. The key either way is to just not seem embarrassed. Don’t be embarrassed! Remember you’re speaking in front of all of these people – something most of the people in the audience would be way too scared to do. You’re a champ for being the one giving the speech. Whatever you do, be confident and you’ll be fine.
INAS: What specific benefits have you seen companies gain from hiring a professional comedian for their events?
EB: Well you’re going to get a pretty biased answer from me. I think companies should only ever hire comedians and ideally only hire a comedian who isn’t me if I’m busy. To be ever so slightly more serious, the power of humor is tremendous. When done well, it can lead to a more relaxed and engaged audience, which in turn makes the event more enjoyable and effective. I’ve seen it boost morale, foster a sense of community, and even help make complex information more memorable. It’s not about forcing laughs, but about creating a genuine connection with the audience.
INAS: How do you balance getting laughs with delivering substantive content and messaging?
EB: The key is to integrate humor organically into the presentation. Use humor to illustrate a point, highlight a key takeaway, or create a memorable moment. Don’t force humor; let it flow naturally from the content and the audience. The goal is to engage and inform, and humor is a tool to use so you can do those things in the most effective possible way.
INAS: How has the role of humor in business presentations evolved throughout your career, and where do you see it heading?
EB: In my experience, humor has become increasingly accepted as a valuable tool in business presentations. More and more, companies are recognizing the importance of engaging their audiences and creating memorable experiences. I see humor continuing to play a larger role in business presentations, as speakers and companies look for ways to stand out, build connections, and drive results. AI has proven to be incredible at so many things, and I don’t think it’s out of the question that at some point AI will be able to be very funny. But being funny is hard and right now humans who are good at being funny are simply better than AI. I think and I hope that humor will become even more valuable as the new generation of work evolves.
—
Using humor in professional setting allows speakers to create authentic connections that make messages resonate. As Ethan shows through his work with organizations, in a business environment where attention is increasingly difficult to secure, strategic comedy offers a competitive advantage. Whether you’re planning your next corporate event or seeking to enliven your own presentations, remember: being professional and being engaging aren’t mutually exclusive. If you’re ready to bring humor to your next corporate event, email info@ineedaspeaker.com to book Ethan Blumenthal.