Divide, Laugh and Conquer

A number of years back, when I was just starting out in the corporate training business, I was leading a stress management program for about fifteen front line supervisors for a New Orleans printing company. The Human Resources Director sort of mandated that they attend this workshop. So these guys were not happy campers. And when they saw me... In those days, I looked a little stiff and academic: blue blazer sports jacket, gray slacks, shirt and tie, neatly trimmed beard, not to mention my Yankee accent. In contrast, these guys mostly looked and acted like Louisiana's version of John Wayne - Western shirts, jeans, cowboy boots, and not exactly fans of touchy-feely subjects. There was an immediate culture clash, and tension was building.

 I began passing out the workshop handouts along with my business card. Suddenly, a ring leader-type, challengingly questions, "What are all those letters after your name?" I gulp, and sort of freeze in my loafers. (Now I understand the real function of western footwear. It's so much more dignified to freeze in your boots.) Ever feel like you are about to become someone's straight man as well as the fall guy? Like a lamb to the slaughter, I reply." Well, the BCSW is a Board Certified State License and the ACSW is for the Academy of Certified Social Workers, a national certification." Without missing a beat, Mr. Ring Leader chimes out, "Must take you a long time to say your name." Ouch. An "I gotcha" snicker snakes across the room.

 After silently licking my wounds, my feisty instincts surfaced: "You know, the father of an ex girl-friend, a self made businessman who never went to college, helped me put all that in perspective. He also asked me, what those letters were. So I explained the BCSW state license, and the ACSW national certification. He then said, 'Mark, don't forget, you have one other four letter degree.' I was truly puzzled and replied, 'What's that?' He said: 'C-R-A-P!'"

Well the room erupted with laughter, including the ring leader. I had taken a best shot and was still (thinking) on my feet. And the rest of the workshop was as easy as eating crawfish pie. Today, when cultural diversity so easily leads to divisiveness and "black or white" thinking, there's a universal healing tool that's still underutilized. It's a tool that allows you to avoid defensiveness, to poke a little fun at yourself, while still being self-affirming. And it reduces the superficial differences between people while strengthening the common human bond. So seek the "higher power of humor": May the farce be with you!