I like to find humor in most situations, no matter how dire. Take for example the devastating tornadoes that hit my home city of Minneapolis in the summer of 1987. There was massive damage, and people were emotionally distraught. Our local newspaper pictured a man standing by his car, which had been crushed by a fallen tree. He was smiling, waving at people driving by and holding a sign that read, “new-style compact car.”

This guy knew there wasn’t much he could do with the cards he was dealt, so why not have a little fun and show some humor in the situation?

With April being National Humor Month, I’m taking advantage of the opportunity to share some humorous stories that have a business message. Really, can’t everyone use a good laugh these days?

Achievement

Gretchen Alexander refused to allow her blindness to limit her life experiences. She mastered archery, golf, softball, sailing and water-skiing, as well as a number of other activities that her sighted friends had yet to learn.

Speaking before a group of high-school students about her achievements, one student asked if there was anything she wouldn’t try.

“I have decided to never skydive,” she answered. “It would scare the heck out of my dog.”

Quick thinking

A minister, a Boy Scout and a computer executive were flying to a meeting in a small private plane. About halfway to their destination, the pilot came back and announced that the plane was going to crash and that there were only three parachutes.

The pilot said, “I am going to use one of the parachutes because I have a wife and four small children,” and he jumped.

The computer executive said, “I should have one of the parachutes because I am the smartest man in the world and my company needs me,” and he jumped.

The minister turned to the Boy Scout and, smiling sadly, said, “You are young and I have lived a good, long life, so you take the last parachute, and I'll go down with the plane.”

The Boy Scout said, “Relax, Reverend. The smartest man in the world just strapped on my backpack and jumped out of the plane!”

Optimism

Two salesmen who fell on hard times ended up broke in a small town in Montana. They needed money to move on, and learned that the town paid $20 each for wolf pelts. That night they set out with a couple of clubs and some borrowed supplies and made camp in the distant hills. They were no sooner asleep than one was startled by an eerie howl. He crawled outside the tent to find himself surrounded by hundreds of snarling wolves. Back into the tent he crawled and shook his buddy.

“Wake up!” he cried. “Wake up! We're rich!”

Customer service

A local meat market had three or four clerks waiting on customers. One of them always had a line of customers waiting for him -- even if one of the other clerks was available. One day, a visitor asked the always-busy clerk the reason for his popularity.

He said: “The other clerks always put more meat on the scale and then take some away to arrive at what the customer ordered. I always put less on the scale and then add to it. It makes all the difference.”

Competition

There is an old saying that goes like this: Every morning a gazelle gets up and knows that it must outrun the fastest lion or it will get eaten. And every morning, a lion gets up and knows that it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death. So, whether you are a gazelle or a lion, every morning when you get up, you'd better start running.

In other words, if you can’t win, make the person ahead of you break the record.

Laugh at yourself

I learned this lesson the hard way from my wife, Carol Ann. While I am accustomed to public speaking and make frequent speeches to large audiences, I was preparing to address a very distinguished audience and was a little nervous. I asked her what kind of remarks might be appropriate for the occasion.

“Whatever you do,” Carol Ann said, “don’t try to sound intellectual, sophisticated or charming. Just be yourself.”

And we are still married after 64 years.

Mackay’s Moral: He (or she) who laughs, lasts.

Former Secretary of Commerce Malcolm Baldrige enjoyed telling a story about how a high-ranking official responded to an employee’s request for a raise by saying: “Because of the influctuational predisposition of your position’s productive capacity as juxtaposed to government standards, it would be monetarily injudicious to advocate an increment.”

Confused, the employee said, “I don’t get it.”

And the supervisor responded, “That’s right.”

Asking for a raise can be a nerve-wracking experience, but with the right approach and preparation, you can increase your chances of success. You need a strategy to help you navigate this important conversation.

First, it is crucial to be well-prepared for your annual salary or performance review. This is often the best time to discuss a raise. Do your homework. Make sure you gather facts that highlight your contributions, organize your achievements in a clear and compelling way and practice discussing these points so you can present them confidently.

Before you schedule this meeting, research your value. Understand what the market pays for your role and level of experience. Know your company’s financial health. Is it in a position to even offer raises? Keep a log of your successes, kudos from clients or any recognition you have received.

Timing is everything. Growing up, I knew never to ask for the keys to the car when my parents were in a bad mood. Wait until you’ve had a significant accomplishment or the company is doing well financially. Maybe it’s a strategic time of year, such as after annual budgets are approved.

“The most difficult thing in any negotiation, almost, is making sure that you strip it of the emotion and deal with the facts,” said former U.S. Sen. Howard Baker.

You need to present your case. Go through your boss’s review agenda first, showing respect for the process. Afterward, ask to present your own case. Be clear and concise about your contributions and how they have benefited the company.

Robert Herjavec from ABC's “Shark Tank” said: “You should never come out and say 'I deserve more money.' Nobody cares what you deserve. It's about what you can do for the company. It's never I, I, I -- it's always what value you can add.”

Prepare yourself for different responses and know what you will do if the answer isn’t what you hoped for. If you don’t get the raise, ask for feedback and what you can do to reach your salary goals. Request additional responsibilities or opportunities that can increase your value. Inquire about professional development opportunities.

Throughout this process, maintain professionalism. Avoid ultimatums unless you are prepared to follow through. Stay calm, regardless of the outcome. Use the experience as a learning opportunity to build a stronger case in the future.

Remember, the key to asking for a raise is to demonstrate your value to the company and to approach the conversation with a blend of confidence and humility.

At one time I had an employee who was absolutely stellar in her performance. She had done her homework thoroughly, understood her value in the marketplace and had a list of accomplishments that benefited the company significantly. She scheduled a meeting with me, and I could tell she was prepared.

During her performance review, she listened attentively and responded to the feedback I provided. Once we had gone through the standard agenda, she respectfully asked if she could present additional information. She laid out her case with such clarity and professionalism, detailing her contributions, the positive feedback from clients and how her work had directly impacted our bottom line.

She also knew the timing was right. Our company had just landed a few big contracts and morale was high. She didn’t come across as entitled; rather she was confident and ready to discuss her future with the company.

I was impressed by her approach. It was evident she wasn’t just asking for more money. She was demonstrating her ongoing commitment to our collective success. She made it easy for me to say yes because she showed me the reason. And while not every situation works out so smoothly, her approach is one I recommend to anyone looking to ask for a raise.

Sometimes the best time to ask for a raise is not when you think you need it, but when you know the company can’t afford to lose you.

Mackay’s Moral: If you want them to show you the money, you better show them the reason.

Aesop wrote a fable about a proud oak tree that took root along the bank of a stream. For 100 years it had withstood the high winds, until one day a violent storm arose. The great oak fell with a mighty crash into the swollen river and was carried down toward the sea.

The oak tree came to rest on the shore where some reeds were growing. The tree was amazed to see the reeds standing upright.

The oak asked, “How ever did you manage to weather that terrible storm? I have stood up against many a storm, but this one was too strong for me.”

“That’s just it,” replied the reed. “All these years you have stubbornly pitted your great strength against the wind. You were too proud to yield a little. I, on the other hand, knowing my weakness, just bend and let the wind blow over me without trying to resist it. The harder the wind blows, the more I humble myself, so here I am!”

Adaptability is absolutely vital in business. The marketplace is like a river, constantly flowing and changing its course. To navigate these waters successfully, you must be able to adjust your sails and steer with agility -- and stand up to a little wind.

Jim Rohn, the late American entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker, said, “Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.”

The pace of change in technology, consumer preferences and global economics means that what worked yesterday might not work today. Being adaptable allows you to respond quickly to changes, keeping your business relevant and competitive.

Companies are moving away from rigid hierarchical structures to more fluid and dynamic models. Adaptability in this context means being comfortable with change, whether it is a shift in your role, team or the overall strategy of the company.

The ability to work well with others, often in a team environment, is more important than ever. Adaptability enhances collaboration because it allows you to understand and embrace different perspectives and work styles.

Today’s business problems are multifaceted, requiring a broad range of skills and the ability to connect disparate pieces of information. An adaptable mindset is open to learning and can integrate new knowledge to solve these complex challenges.

Adaptability is not just a nice-to-have trait; it is a must-have. It is about being prepared to pivot when necessary, to learn from new situations and to continually evolve your approach to business. It is about thriving in uncertainty and turning challenges into opportunities.

The only thing constant in life is change. It is up to you to be adaptable and willing to change. When something goes wrong in your life, just say “Plot twist,” and move on.

One of the best books that I have ever read on adaptability is the shortest and simplest. “Who Moved My Cheese?” by Spencer Johnson is a charming parable with profound insights. Fundamentally, no matter who you are, you don’t like change. Some of us cope with it fairly well, but the truth is that we all wish we didn’t have to undergo change.

The four characters in the book are Sniff and Scurry, two mice in a maze, and Hem and Haw, the two human characters who are the size of the mice and are called little people. Every day they go to Cheese Station C, and everything they need is right there in whatever quantity they want.

Then one day they go to Cheese Station C and the endless supply of cheese is gone. Sniff and Scurry react quickly and instinctively. They know they must find a new supply of cheese. Not so for Hem and Haw. They continue their old routine. They are afraid to venture forth in the maze and find a new source of cheese.

Haw finally realizes he must overcome his fears and writes on the wall, “If you do not change, you can become extinct.” Haw sets off in the maze and after much trial and error, finds new cheese that is even better.

Mackay’s Moral: In the business world, the rearview is always clearer than the windshield, but adaptability is the key to driving forward.