The Best Medicine: Review Examines the Importance of Humor to Outcomes of Coaching Interventions
Vendl, A., Alvarado-Alvarez, C., & Euwema, M. (2024). Humor in professional coaching: A literature review and research agenda. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1288104. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1288104
Introduction
Though humor has linked to positive outcomes in therapeutic contexts, the exploration of humor within the domain of professional coaching remains sparse. Vendl and colleagues (2024) conducted a review to examine the utilization and effects of spontaneous humor in coaching interactions.
Methods
Authors conducted a systematic literature review following PRISMA guidelines, focusing on empirical studies from 2000-2022 that explored the role of humor in counseling, psychotherapy, and mentoring. Keywords used included “humor,” “coaching,” “playfulness,” and “humor intervention.” 13 empirical studies were identified that met the criteria.
Results
Findings indicated that humor serves several key functions in professional coaching:
- Enhancement of Working Alliance: Humor was found to be a valuable tool for establishing and deepening the working alliance between coach and coachee.
- Cognitive and Behavioral Shifts: Humor enabled clients to reframe their issues, leading to new insights and behavioral changes.
- Emotional Regulation: Humor created an environment conducive to exploring difficult topics non-defensively, thereby enhancing emotional resilience.
- Creativity and Engagement: The use of humor stimulated creative thinking and maintained engagement during coaching sessions. It allowed for a playful exploration of serious issues, fostering a dynamic and motivating atmosphere.
Interestingly, risks associated with humor were also identified, including potential misunderstandings or misinterpretations which could harm the relationship.
Discussion
Humor can enhance the effectiveness of coaching by strengthening the working alliance, facilitating cognitive and behavioral shifts, regulating emotions, and fostering creativity and engagement. Coaches are encouraged to incorporate humor thoughtfully and adaptively, considering the individual differences and cultural contexts of their clients.
The authors note that, “practitioners and researchers [should] explore humor’s potential for fostering meaningful connections and positive outcomes”.
Implications for Mentors
- Incorporate considerations of proper use of humor as well as risks of humor, into training for mentors.
- Programs may also want to consider using humor as a tool to address low engagement or motivation in-session.
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