Peter McGraw - Shtick to Business: What the Masters of Comedy Can Teach You about Breaking Rules, Being Fearle

David Ogilvy once said, The best ideas come as jokes. Try to make your thinking as funny as possible.

Every ruler needs a court jester. Humour is anything but silly: it is an evolved and highly sophisticated evolutionary mechanism which allows brains momentarily to sidestep conventional hierarchies or assumptions in a way which would be impossible in a wholly serious (or automated) world. In todays over - earnest business culture, where it often pays to present oneself as being as Teutonically rational as possible, it is easy to disregard these momentary logical lapses. But, as Peter McGraw explains, we should often cherish them instead.

Rory Sutherland, vice chairman, Ogilvy

When I read the quote about me in this book, Neal lacks the warmth that helps an audience connect to a stand - up comedian, you can imagine my excitement about endorsing it. I do endorse it. Not warmly. You know how I am.

Neal Brennan, comedian and co-creator of Chappelles Show

Shtick to Business takes insights from the worlds funniest people to show you all you need to know about business.

Great comedians are constantly selling themselves, improving their product based on customer feedback, and differentiating themselves from the competition. Who cares if they sleep until noon & drink too much?

Let successful comedians show you their secrets to success.

Jimmy Carr, comedian and man who owes the author money

Ive built a career on creating innovation designed to disrupt markets. Peter McGraw asserts that the best case studies are not entrepreneurs like me, but T - shirt - wearing comedians working in dingy basements. I couldnt agree with him more. Shtick to Business is not only a fascinating deep dive into the psychology of the worlds most creative minds, but also an exhaustive guide to applying those lessons to your business. A must - read for those looking to drive growth, progress, and sustainable success.

Josh Linkner, 5x tech entrepreneur, New York Times bestselling author

Shtick to Business will help you think differently, build critical professional skills, and make you laugh all at the same time. Get ready to learn from professional comedians, the all - out rebels whoin many wayshave the toughest job in the world.

Francesca Gino, author of Rebel Talent and Harvard Business School professor

Those who can, make people laugh. Those who cant, become humor researchers. Yes, thats a thing, and Peter McGraw is one of the best on the planet. Defying all expectations, his book is illuminating, entertaining, and maybe even useful.

Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author of Originals and Give and Take , and host of the TED podcast WorkLife

Peter McGraw is brilliant! His unique research and knowledge of behavioral science and corporate success illuminates the skills that allow the funniest entertainers and smartest businesses to succeed. Prepare to bump your career and company to 11 in this comedic book for an all too serious world.

Jon Levy, founder of The Influencers and author of The 2 AM Principle

Comedy is funny, but its also a serious business that some of the best comedians turn into billion - dollar empires. No one understands this better than Peter McGraw, a serious academic who also happens to know a lot about comedy, comedians, and what makes them funny. In Shtick to Business , McGraw explains why comedians like Jerry Seinfeld, Tina Fey, and Amy Poehler are so successful in comedy and in businessand explains how the rest of us, funny or not, can use the same principles to sharpen our own business instincts.

Adam Alter, New York Times bestselling author of Drunk Tank Pink and Irresistible and associate professor of marketing, New York University Stern School of Business

Peter McGraw is THE expert on what makes us laugh. Funnily enough, hes a behavioral scientist who studies humor in business. He brings scientific understanding to creativity and innovation in the economy. No one can give better advice on how to develop your own unique creativity to succeed professionally, whether you are on stage or in the office.

Wendy Wood, professor of psychology and business at the University of Southern California and author of Good Habits, Bad Habits

Is Peter McGraw a superb scientist who happens to be unusually funny? Or a superb comedian who happens to be unusually scientific?

Why choose? Pete is an enlightening entertainer and an entertaining enlightener.

Philip Tetlock, Annenberg University professor, University of Pennsylvania, and author of Superforecasting: The Art and Science of Prediction

A book for business people who are sick of being average. McGraw delivers more insights about human behavior and leadership in two chapters than in the last five years worth of business books combined.

Shane Snow, author of Dream Teams

The person who tells you that business has to be boring probably isnt very good at business. Shtick to Business shows how the worlds funniest people can actually teach us a lot about how we can do business better. An entertaining road map that will make you smarter.

Jonah Berger, Wharton professor and author of Contagious and The Catalyst