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SUMMER 2017
7
business
solutions
TIPS FOR EFFECTIVELY
USING HUMOR
While at work, you need to make sure
your attempts at humor don’t venture into
offensive or disruptive territory. Keep these
tips in mind:
•
Laugh at yourself.
We all appreciate
people who don’t take themselves too
seriously!
•
Find humor in stressful situations.
By pointing out the funny side of a
task or project your team is working
on, your colleagues will easily relate—
and no one will get their feelings hurt.
•
Add humor to the agenda.
Devote the
first two or three minutes of each meet-
ing to humor and lighten the conversation
before getting down to business.
•
Avoid sarcasm.
Sarcasm may work with
your closest friends but in a work envi-
ronment, it can be misinterpreted as a
put-down or a thinly veiled comment on
someone’s actual work habits or skills.
Likewise, remarks and jokes related to
race or gender are strictly off-limits.
The answer is simple. Studies have dem-
onstrated that laughter has positive effects
on both our physical and mental health.
In fact, laughing enhances the immune
system, lowers blood pressure, and even
releases natural antidepressants and
painkillers in the body. This boost to our
systems can result in fewer missed days,
less illness, and reduced stress.
But those benefits are just the beginning.
Creating an atmosphere that welcomes
humor often leads to productivity-
boosting effects. Laughter improves
morale, cuts down on employee turnover,
reduces conflict, strengthens teamwork,
builds loyalty, and fosters creativity.
What’s more, laughing at work can help
counteract the inevitable boredom that
arises out of dull tasks and keeps people
attentive during long meetings. Remember
recess when you were a kid? Think of
workplace humor as the adult equivalent
of recess—a way to renew energy and
focus. As comedian Milton Berle once
said, “Laughter is an instant vacation.”
Many employers now say that a good
sense of humor is even a key factor
when choosing new hires. This trait is
seen as reflective of a person’s flexibility
at work and an ability to build good rap-
port with colleagues.
With just a little effort, you can make
your workplace a little more fun for
everyone. After all, Americans typically
spend more waking hours at work than
at home, so it’s a good idea to find ways
to enjoy it. And with all the benefits of
laughter, you may be laughing your
way to the bank.
In recent years, more and more companies have begun to
recognize the need for a little levity around the office. So much
so that many consultants now make a living offering advice on
how to infuse humor and fun into the workplace. Why?
Laughter can offer
serious benefits to
your workplace
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DONE