Five Good Reasons to Laugh in 2024
It’s a new year! We’re energized by what’s new – new ideas, new perspectives, and new approaches. Our suite of different approaches to enriching every DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) learner journey includes live theater, video scenarios featuring professional actors, facilitated interactive learning, virtual learning and more.
But did you know?
It also includes even more...
Wait – What’s funny about DEI, you say? Join us to find out!
Here’s what happens: You experience both laughter and empathy as you listen in on comical and eye-opening stories about the “outsider” experience, while skilled facilitators help everyone explore their reactions, perceptions, and assumptions. Participants walk away with unique and memorable insight that translates into lasting change.
But why comedy?
There are many benefits to the use of comedy in DEI learning. It offers creative and bold ways to go beyond trainings and workshops, allowing learners to explore complex issues through humor and storytelling.Here are five reasons to use comedy in DEI:
Comedy breaks down barriers and stereotypes
It helps people pay attention
Comedic stories improve audience understanding and empathy
Laughing can assist in recall and improve learning
Humor reduces stress
Wait, reducing stress? OK, tell me more.
Laughter is a powerful human action. When we laugh, our brain releases endorphins and neurotransmitters like serotonin. And when that happens, stress is reduced. That’s valuable when talking about things that can be uncomfortable, like identity. Perspective. Opinion. Perception. Uncomfortable yet? Insert joke here!
Humor can assist everyone in addressing difficult conversations and situations. It allows us to perceive situations as challenges rather than threats. And it enhances social connection and ties among people, improving workplace relationships. And especially during times of challenge and conflict, laughter can be a balm, and even a unifying experience.
How does using comedy in DEI work at IBIS?
Our comedians live, work and come from many places around the world. We work with famous comedians from China, Indonesia, India and Japan, to England, Canada and the US. Their perspectives, stories and anecdotes relating to the workplace are eye-opening, globally relatable and inspirational.
Our comedy is developed to be suitable for a corporate environment by using lived experience and storytelling to help participants make connections with DEI learning objectives in the workplace without any profane or bullying content.
And our comedy doesn’t stand alone. Each stand-up routine is followed by a facilitated session that’s well-suited for 50 or more participants, making it perfect for workplace environments.
Through our offering, Stand Up for Diversity! your organization will:
Dive deeper into the unique stories around DEI
Build understanding and empathy among your employees
Foster a sense of belonging, especially among members of groups who have historically felt excluded
Share the creative and healing experience of laughter
Create a powerful, memorable moment that can propel your DEI strategy forward
Interested in finding the joy in DEI? Bonding with your colleagues? Having fun? And learning more about comedy through IBIS? Great. Because we want to share this with you, too.
