Hugh Forrest: "Take your work seriously, but don’t take yourself too seriously"

Hugh Forrest: "Take your work seriously, but don’t take yourself too seriously"

Author: Kate Davis | Keynote Speaker & Stand Up Comedian showing Leaders how to Leverage Humor March 11, 2025 Duration: 28:25
In this engaging episode of "Humor in the C Suite," host Kate Davis chats with Hugh Forrest, Co-President and Chief Programming Officer of South by Southwest (SXSW). Forrest shares his insights on how humor and creativity intersect to foster an extraordinary work culture, drawing from over three decades of his experience at SXSW. From its humble beginnings as a local music event in 1987, SXSW has burgeoned into a dynamic, multi-faceted festival attracting hundreds of thousands of participants...

Kate Davis, a comic and keynote speaker, hosts Humor In The C-Suite, a podcast built on a simple but powerful idea: laughter is a serious business tool. Each episode features conversations with leaders, executives, and business owners who have moved beyond seeing humor as just a Friday afternoon perk. Instead, they explore how intentional levity can fundamentally reshape a workplace, fostering a culture where people feel connected, creative, and genuinely engaged. These discussions get into the practicalities and the psychology, asking whether humor can ever backfire, how it reframes challenges, and the ways it builds trust and curiosity within teams. You’ll hear real stories from the front lines of management about deploying wit during tough meetings, the role of personal storytelling in leadership, and how a lighter atmosphere can directly impact well-being and performance. This isn’t about memorizing jokes for the boardroom; it’s about cultivating an authentic, human approach to the pressures of high-stakes roles. The podcast naturally bridges several worlds-business strategy, mental resilience, and personal development-by examining how a sense of play isn’t opposed to professionalism but can be its foundation. Tune in for thoughtful, often funny, explorations of how the sound of laughter in the office might just be the sound of a company thriving.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Humor In The C-Suite
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