Flying High on Humor: Building Culture Through Laughter with Robb Patton

What if laughter was the secret ingredient to stronger teams, safer workplaces, and unforgettable training? On this episode of the Build a Vibrant Culture Podcast, Nicole Greer welcomes Robb Patton—a professional pilot, stand-up comedian, and co-founder of Highbrow Safety Werks—who proves that humor isn’t just for fun, it’s for performance. Robb reveals how playful parody videos, jokes in the cockpit, and even Lego mini-figures can transform “mandatory training” into memorable learning. From building psychological safety to breaking down barriers in serious industries, Robb shows leaders and HR pros how to use levity to lift culture. You’ll leave inspired with practical tips, contagious laughter, and a fresh perspective on how humor helps teams soar. Vibrant Highlights: 00:02:49 – Why humor and learning belong together—even in serious industries. 00:14:25 – Emotional intelligence and the role of humor in leadership. 00:22:03 – Why laughing at ourselves strengthens culture and trust. 00:38:32 – Practical tips: misdirection, “rule of three,” and callbacks. 00:43:11 – How AI can help leaders bring humor into training. Connect with Robb: Robb's Book, The Plane That Prolly Could: https://a.co/d/dfYHWri Website: https://www.highbrowsafety.com/ LinkedIn (business): https://www.linkedin.com/company/highbrow-safety-werks/posts/?feedView=all LinkedIn (personal): https://www.linkedin.com/in/robb-patton-49a3b310/ Also mentioned on this episode: Humor, Seriously by Jennifer Aaker & Naomi Bagdonas: https://a.co/d/gCiQ7vH Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman: https://a.co/d/4uoFaxW Do It Yourself Funny by G.Campbell, T.Gard, and M.Mayfield: https://funnieru.com/ Radical Candor by Kim Scott: https://a.co/d/1ni1sQy Crucial Conversations by Joseph Grenny et al: https://a.co/d/6H0QKVf Listen at vibrantculture.com/podcast or wherever you listen to podcasts! Learn more about Nicole Greer, The Vibrant Coach, at vibrantculture.com.