The Power of Uncontrollable Laughter in Coaching (and at Work)
There is a very particular moment that sometimes happens in coaching sessions. An unpredictable moment, almost indecent, when the seriousness of the conversation suddenly shifts. The moment when… we burst out laughing.
A real burst of laughter — the kind that takes your breath away, brings tears to your eyes, and forces you to pause to catch your breath. Yes, even when the situation seems catastrophic.
That is exactly what happened during a recent coaching session.
My client arrived completely exhausted. She had just inherited a department that looked more like an abandoned construction site than a functioning team. Nothing was working. There were no solid processes, little engagement, and as if that were not enough, one particularly independent employee — let’s put it that way — regularly worked in isolation without consulting the right people. As a result, she often found herself exposed in front of her peers, with the unsettling feeling that she was losing control of the situation.
She described all of this with a mix of exhaustion and helplessness. It was clear that she had tried several approaches, but nothing seemed to work. The pressure was very real.
As she was speaking, an image suddenly came to my mind. I told her, “It’s a bit like getting onto the highway… but there’s no asphalt.”
She burst out laughing immediately — a genuine, almost surprised laugh.
“Yes… and the gravel is flying everywhere!” she added.
At that moment, we witnessed a phenomenon well known in neuroscience: contagious laughter. One person laughs, the other follows, and within seconds the entire energy of the room shifts.
I continued playing along with the metaphor. “In that case, I strongly suggest you close your windows and your mouth, otherwise you’re going to swallow all the dust.”
The laughter intensified and took hold of both of us. The kind of laughter that simply won’t stop. Catching her breath, she added, “And my tires are square!”
Tears were rolling down our cheeks. For a few seconds, the gravity of the situation disappeared into a completely uncontrollable burst of laughter.
Then I regained my composure, reflecting on the irony of the moment. I looked at her and said, “I’m laughing, but I am deeply empathetic to your situation. And I take it very seriously.” The laughter broke out again, almost as if to contradict my words.
But something had shifted. The situation itself had not changed. The department was still in disarray. Yet the energy in the room was completely different. The emotional weight had lifted, and suddenly it became possible to think again.
This phenomenon is far from trivial. For several years now, researchers have been seriously studying the effects of laughter on the brain and on workplace performance. The results are fascinating.
When we laugh, our bodies release endorphins — the hormones associated with well-being — while reducing levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Research conducted at Loma Linda University has shown that laughter acts almost like a physiological antidote to stress.
Within minutes, the body relaxes, and the brain regains clarity. This relaxation also expands our thinking. When we are overwhelmed by stress, our brain shifts into survival mode: it becomes rigid, defensive, and sees problems as dead ends. Laughter acts like a reset button. It restores perspective and opens the door to solutions we could no longer see.
In the workplace, seriousness is often valued as a sign of professionalism. Yet several studies in organizational psychology show that well-timed humor fosters collaboration, creativity, and trust within teams. Leaders who are able to introduce humor at the right moment often create more human, open, and psychologically safe environments.
Laughing together does not trivialize challenges. On the contrary, it sometimes allows us to regain a healthy distance from difficulties. As the humorist and musician Victor Borge once said, “Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.” One could add: sometimes it is also the shortest distance between a problem and its solution.
After our memorable moment of laughter, my client sat up straighter in her chair. Her face looked different — more relaxed, more alive.
She took a deep breath and said, “Alright… if my tires are square, what do we do now?”
And that is exactly where the real coaching begins.
Because sometimes, before transforming a situation, we simply need to laugh about it a little… and breathe again.
Scientific Research on the Benefits of Laughter
Since the topic particularly interested me, I looked into three scientific studies highlighting the benefits of laughter.
1. Lee Berk and Stanley Tan – Loma Linda University
Researchers Dr. Lee Berk and Dr. Stanley Tan at Loma Linda University conducted several studies on the physiological effects of laughter. Their research shows that laughter significantly reduces cortisol and adrenaline — hormones associated with stress — while increasing endorphins, which promote well-being and relaxation.
In a study published in the American Journal of the Medical Sciences, they observed that even the anticipation of a humorous moment could reduce physiological stress levels in participants.
Conclusion: Laughter acts as a biological regulator of stress, helping difficult conversations become lighter and more constructive.
2. Sophie Scott – Neuroscience of Laughter and Human Relationships
Neuroscientist Sophie Scott from University College London demonstrated that laughter is an extremely contagious social behavior that strengthens connections between people.
Her research shows that when we hear someone laugh, the areas of the brain responsible for preparing action are automatically activated. In other words, the brain prepares itself to laugh.
Conclusion: Shared laughter increases social connection, trust, and cooperation, which explains why it can transform the atmosphere of a coaching conversation or a team meeting.
3. Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas – Humor and Workplace Performance
Researchers Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas from the Stanford Graduate School of Business studied the impact of humor in organizations.
Their work shows that leaders who use humor authentically are perceived as more competent, confident, and human. Humor also encourages creativity, collaboration, and team engagement.
Conclusion: In a professional context, well-used humor is not a lack of seriousness. It is a powerful lever for leadership and relational intelligence.
Mylène Grégoire, M.Sc., BPsy, CRHA, PCC, FQM, is President, Coach, Mentor, and Polarity Practitioner at Mymosa &CO Conseil Inc. She is also the author of four books, including three bestsellers, a keynote speaker, and the founder of two online training programs: Brillez au boulot (approved by the Ordre des CRHA) and From Gut to Success.
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