The Daily Stat: Eighteen Months in the Life of a Fool

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Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   AUTHORS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile APRIL 1, 2010 Eighteen Months in the Life of a Fool 18 months was the length of Paul Birch's tenure as British Airways' official corporate jester. Birch, who was appointed in 1994 after persuading the company that it needed someone to question the status quo, made numerous suggestions about such things as executive behavior and creativity — encouraging managers, for example, to chase one another with water guns. In 1996, sensing that people were beginning to ignore him because he was just the jester, he resigned to become a consultant. Source: Fast Company Share Today's Stat: RELATED PRODUCT Getting Serious About Workplace Humor Harvard Management Communication Letter Contrary to what some might think, humor isn't too frivolous for a business environment — even during hard times. Humor accomplishes three main goals: it releases tension, creates a sense of acceptance, and restores a healthy perspective. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Stat: BEST SELLERS 10 Must-Read Articles from HBR Guide to Better Business Writing HBR 2009: A Year of Management Ideas HBR's Must-Reads on Managing Yourself How to Get the Right Work Done PREVIOUS STATS Gaps Seen in Oversight of Organics Industry Some "Natural" Products Are Far from It Weakening Firms Focus on Cuts, Not New Products Little Rest for the Weary Vietnamese Business Owner Gender Parity: Not a Corporate Priority Nike Goes to Court to Fight Cybersquatting Most Doctors Admit to Practicing Defensive Medicine Mergers Market Seems Poised to Accelerate All-Day Snacking Starts Very Young A Dramatic Decline for Leveraged Buyouts HBR Online Trial Access HBR's in-depth business archives FREE for 14 days. Register today » UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "The Daily Stat" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2010 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 1-800-545-7685 (617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)