If you’re in a leadership position or hope to be so one day and you don’t have a sense of humor then I’d say you are out of luck.

I realize there are people in top leadership positions who don’t have a sense of humor, but I have to believe by and large they are totally miserable people and not nearly as successful as they, and their organizations, could be.

I believe part of a leader’s responsibility is to create a workplace that’s well disciplined, functional, effective and a fun place to work. Just because you display a sense of humor doesn’t mean you’re not serious about your work or have lost your discipline.

It means at any given moment you know how to inject humor to lighten up the joint.

Working in a place of business without a sense of humor is like working in a room with the lights off. Humor turns the lights on and adds an unmeasurable element to the organization.

Back when I was running my dealerships, I personally conducted cultural training to make sure every team player knew the mission and what was expected of them. I was quick to point out to our new hires, as well as existing staff, that if they didn’t have a sense of humor then it was the wrong place for them to be working.

I stated to them, “If you can’t laugh at yourself, then you’re going be miserable here. So, it might be best if you make some plans to meet some new people at your next workplace.”

So go ahead, laugh at yourself. It’s ok, it really is and those around you will be better off for it and so will you. That’s all I’m gonna say. Tommy Gibbs

In a given week I probably answer somewhere between 25 and 50 emails from readers asking questions, seeking advice and searching for solutions.

I’m always thrilled when I get a chance to help someone solve a problem. Unless I just plain miss an email, I’m relentless in responding to any and all requests.

My youngest sister, Melba Gibbs, exemplifies the word relentless. When we were growing up she would drive our parents nuts until she got what she wanted. If she wanted a puppy, she got a puppy.

It might take her a month, but she would stay after them until she “won.” She’s no different today as the Director of Fund Raising for Easter Seals in Richmond, VA. Her relentless style serves her well.

Often when dealers and managers write to me, I end my return email by saying the key to fixing this issue is your middle name has to become “Relentless.” A relentless leader is aware that there will be peaks and valleys.

They know it’s going to be tempting to give up, fall off the wagon or get distracted just enough that the evaporation factor will win out.

When you are relentless you will have moments when you are annoying to others. (Hello Melba)…but, when you are relentless, the good things you put on the wagon of success are less likely to fall off. Let the relentless continue.

That’s all I’m gonna say, Tommy “Relentless” Gibbs

I hope you’ve had some great mentors in your life. I’ve had some of the very best. My business partner for over 30 years, Ashton Lewis, Sr., taught me some of the best leadership skills I could ever have hoped for.

Ashton taught me nothing is more important than always doing more. More than is necessary, more than is fair. When in doubt as to whether you’ve given enough, give some more. Yep, I’ve had some great mentors. I hope you have too.

Great mentors develop great leaders and they all teach, Do More:

1. They do more than they know is necessary.
2. They do more than they know is fair.
3. They do more because it’s the right thing to do.
4. They do more not expecting anything in return.
5. They do more even when they know it still may not save the day.
6. They do more even when they know it may not save the customer.
7. They do more because they know it’s a teaching moment.
8.They do more because they don’t want to leave this earth owing anything.
9. They do more because they can.
10. They do more because they see the big picture.
11. They do more because if not them, who? Maybe you!

I wish I could do more, that’s all I’m gonna say, Tommy Gibbs