Why am I holding a comically large corndog?

Yes, that’s me holding a comically large corn dog.

Because fear kills creativity, and humor is one of the most underrated tools a leader has.

Over the years, I’ve led teams through complex transformations in high-performing growth marketing teams: new systems, new goals, new expectations.

But the hardest part of change is rarely technical. It’s emotional!

People get quiet when they’re afraid, like of looking foolish, asking the “wrong” question, or falling short. And when fear creeps in, it kills momentum.

That’s why I try to lead with clarity and levity.

I’ve seen humor unlock rooms, disarm resistance, and make teams feel safe enough to experiment. A leader who isn’t afraid to laugh, especially at themselves, creates space for others to take risks and grow.

My hunch is, most leaders avoid humor because we’ve been taught that credibility comes from being serious. That vulnerability or silliness makes us seem less in control.

I believe the opposite is true.

So yes. I’ll proudly post a ridiculous photo of myself holding a massive corn dog. Because it’s real. And if you can’t show up as yourself, how can you expect others to?

Your turn: What’s one unexpected way you’ve built trust or momentum with your team?