018 AUDIO: VW’s secret headquarters outside Langley, VA

Motormouth Podcast Car Buying Tips and Tricks

John Luciano chases Volkswagen executives down the hall as they run from the paparazzi!

As a member of the Dealer Council for Volkswagen Group of America, I had the opportunity to see the exciting and innovate designs to be unveiled this year.

Even the high-tech building that houses Volkswagen’s U.S. headquarters in Herndon, Virginia is an amazing feat of architectural wonder. Thoughtful design is incorporated into each of its 185,000 square feet. A central, interconnecting staircase between the second and sixth floors is a work of art (I still took the elevator).

Naturally, the Council also discussed the continued challenges that face Volkswagen; both for our customers and dealers.

One of the most interesting things I discovered at this meeting was something that wasn’t on the agenda; Humor and playful communication.

While tackling some of the most important (and serious) issues within your organization, remember to strengthen your relationships with everyone involved by triggering some positive feelings. We simply think better the less stressed out we are.

“A day without laughter is a day wasted.” – Charlie Chaplin

When we laugh with one another, a positive bond is created. This bond acts as a strong cushion against stress.

A study published in the Harvard Business Review discusses how followers mirror their leaders. According to this study in behavioral neuroscience, human brains contain “mirror neurons.” A subset of these mirror neurons detects other people’s smiles and laughter, prompting smiles and laughter in return.

A leader who is self-controlled and humorless will rarely engage those neurons in his team, but a boss who laughs and sets an easygoing tone puts those neurons to work, triggering spontaneous laughter and binding his team together in the process.

Check out some an example of this fun in action in the hallways of VW’s headquarters: https://www.facebook.com/StreetVolkswagen/videos/1183004795044544/

What will you do to make your staff smile today? Sometimes business needs to be seriously fun! – Lucky