Jennifer Aaker

There exists a mistaken belief in today’s corporate world: that we need to be serious all the time to be taken seriously. But the research tells a different story. Building on their nationally bestselling book, Humor, Seriously, the authors delve into the behavioral science of humor, and why it fuels creativity, fosters resilience, and strengthens bonds on your team and with customers. They share techniques from professional comedians to unlock a sense of levity at work and concrete tools for having more joy in your life.

It used to be that leaders needed to be revered; now they need to be understood. In A New Type of Leader, Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas explore why traditional models of leadership have shifted and how we can embody a new type of leadership: one defined by humanity and humor. They share stories from inspiring leaders and tactics that can be deployed to bridge the trust gap, cultivate cultures of levity, and unlock agility in the face of change.

Although the average human may spend a third of their life at work, many still look to their non-working hours as their main source of happiness and humanity. Using insights gleaned from the regrets of the dying, combined with cutting-edge behavioral research, Dr. Aaker examines how we make the mistake of chasing happiness instead of meaning. By honing in on four key pillars — authenticity, presence, humor, and love — Dr. Aaker shares a recipe for a meaningful life and how it can be integrated into the workplace. You will leave with tangible lessons on how to build more innovative, collaborative, and joyful workforces, forge stronger relationships, and create more meaningful lives.

Work has changed. Over the last recent years, remote and hybrid models of work and social isolation — coupled with unprecedented levels of stress and uncertainty — have made it harder than ever to foster connection, joy, and well-being within our teams. Now, being on the other side of the pandemic, it is abundantly clear we must (re-)build organizations and lives that cultivate genuine happiness and an enduring culture of joy, productivity, and well-being.

In this program, Dr. Aaker challenges audiences to rethink their approach to well-being and empowers leaders to build purpose-filled, innovative, and collaborative workplaces where people are valued members of a winning team on an inspired mission. Learn the behavioral science behind aligning what is personally meaningful with the higher purpose of our business. And how, when we bring humanity to our work, we connect authentically to our values and better navigate change and uncertainty. Audiences will leave inspired, encouraged, and armed with concrete tools to infuse their teams with purpose.

Studies show that we recall stories much more than data, facts, and figures. We don’t remember numbers on a spreadsheet; we remember stories. Stories galvanize — they are the “why” and create shared understanding, engagement, and excitement for employees, teams, and businesses. Storytelling is vital for leaders whose signature stories impact the company’s recruiting, retention, and growth.

In this interactive session, Dr. Aaker will guide audiences on discovering and building their signature stories, creating a bank of signature stories, and harnessing stories as assets. Audiences will leave with the ability to curate, craft, and tell stories effectively — and harness stories to lead and drive growth.