Laugh it to the top! Loving Emotional Tickling as a Gamechanger for Leaders

Humor affirms life and can help deal more effectively with serious situations, because it creates healthy distance. The method is simple-and yet sometimes hard to implement: bring lightness into the picture, because humor lets the soul fly. Don't believe every negative thought you're having. Learn to laugh at yourself. Give yourself a gentle mental tickle. I've turned this into a method I call Loving Emotional Tickling (LET).

Whether you're frustrated with yourself or others: to keep LET constructive-not cynical-you need a friendly, appreciative inner attitude, towards yourself and others. LET isn't designed for deep trauma but for the annoying everyday stuff we no longer want to give power to. It's about laughing together, not at anyone. Sarcasm and contempt have no place here. We want to find the funny side of "the cheese that just happened." Sometimes, it helps to fire logic and control to the moon-or to Neptune-and just laugh it off. After all, laughter is still the best medicine.

Even in the Middle Ages, people joked about death. One old saying: "Stand the coffin upright-we want to dance!" As a hospice volunteer, I often witness hearty laughter in final moments-not about dying itself, but about life's absurdities. One elderly lady once told me she was tired. I asked, "Did you party all night again?" She stared at me wide-eyed-and then burst out laughing. Another man complained about the 20+ pills he had to take daily. I replied with a smile: "Well, at least you don't need to eat anymore!" We laughed until we cried.
Mentally step aside and take a bird's-eye view. This doesn't mean looking down arrogantly-but rather floating lovingly above it all. Ask yourself: what could be funny here? In other words: you've got this laugh covered.
During the 2006 World Cup, many German companies saw a surge in sick leave during popular matches. One company responded with a humorous note: "If you already know you'll be sick during a game, please inform HR two days in advance."

For challenges that irritate-but don't threaten-us, LET enables humorous perspective shifts. It's like a cognitive reset. Of course, we all view the world through our own lenses, but taking those glasses off intentionally is a valuable skill. And it often reveals how simple things can be.
Before we dive in, here are the ground rules: humor in LET is never about belittling anyone. Avoid anything degrading, sexist, racist, or dismissive. Irony and cynicism are out. Maintain your inner composure-even when no one sees your thoughts. LET is here to break thought patterns lovingly-not mockingly.
Here's a personal favorite: I play softball. At the last game of a tournament, our American coach shouted, "Let's kick some asses!" I replied: "Bring on the asses!" English just nails the vibe.

Let's find lightness where we can: your partner left? At least you have full control over the remote again. That amazing long-time employee retired? You won't miss the smell of her lunchtime cheese sandwich. Humor doesn't erase sadness, but it makes space for perspective.

Pro tip - Questions to tickle your thinking:
• What's funny about this?
• What would a clown or comedian see here?
• How could you exaggerate this story to the point of absurdity?
• How would a talking teacup describe this moment?
• Who would you ask for comic advice-Kermit the Frog? The Mad Hatter?

And finally:
What's the funniest thing that could happen?
Repeat this thought like you would repeat a worry. Let yourself spiral upwards instead of down. Laugh your way through it. Keep a humor journal. Next time you're at a dinner party, you'll thank yourself.

This insight is excerpted from the book "Empowering the Inner Leader - 147 Tips for Growth, Fulfillment, and Success" by Stefanie Camin - author, executive coach, and expert in transformational leadership. The book will be published in German in October 2025: https://amzn.to/4kRKoLu.
Learn more at www.stefanie-camin.de

Oberwiesenthaler Straße 6
91207 Lauf
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Stefanie Camin is a keynote speaker and author specializing in inner leadership, mindful communication, and authentic professional development. With a background in education, management, and psychology, she brings over 20 years of cross-industry experience into her work with organizations, leaders, and individuals seeking meaningful and lasting transformation.

Her work is based on the conviction that true leadership begins within. She inspires people to lead with clarity, self-awareness, and inner strength - even in turbulent times. Whether on stage, in workshops, or in her writing, she combines depth with practical tools to strengthen responsibility, resilience, and personal fulfillment.

As a speaker, Stefanie Camin is known for her warm, clear presence and relatable insights. She delivers keynotes at leadership conferences, HR events, and corporate forums, where she empowers her audience to question outdated patterns and embrace a more human, connected way of leading.

In addition to her speaking engagements, Stefanie Camin is the author of the upcoming book "Strengthen Your Inner Leadership - 147 Tips for Growth, Fulfillment, and Success", which will be released in October 2025 in German: https://amzn.to/4kRKoLu.

The enterprise is based in Germany and operates independently, collaborating with HR departments, event organizers, and executive teams across various sectors. Its mission: to help people lead with inner clarity - and live with greater purpose.
Motto: Strong within, confident on the outside.

Find out more at www.stefanie-camin.de.

This release was published on openPR.