2. To Laugh or Not To Laugh?
From: Jones, Sarah (Bluegrass)
Sent: Thursday, April 7, 2005 8:59 AM
To: Smith, Joe (Bluegrass)
Subject: PowerPoint Presentation
I can’t believe you didn’t get my email! You sorry sack!
Don’t you ever do any work? Here is the attachment
again. Let me know if you cannot open it.
(This is a copy of an email that was sent to the wrong Joe!)
3. Humor: Where did it come from?
“Positism” is a term I coined that refers to looking
at life through optimistic lenses, seeing the silver
lining and squirting back when life gives you
lemons. Humor comes from the root word “umor”,
which means to be fluid or flexible. Both a positive
attitude and the ability to be flexible are important
in times of change.
4. Did you know…
The average preschooler laughs or smiles 400
times day, while that number drops to 15 times a
day by the time people reach 35.
People smile only 35 percent as much as they think
they do.
In a Robert Half International poll of 1000
executives, 84% said that workers with a sense of
humor do a better job.
5. Workplace Humor Is NOT an
Oxymoron
Health Benefits of Humor
Laughter releases endorphins which are chemicals that
are 10 times more powerful than the pain reliving drug
morphine.
Every time you laugh you burn 3.5 calories.
Laughing increases oxygen intake, thereby
replenishing and invigorating cells.
Relives tension, lifts your mood and boosts your
immune system.
6. Workplace Humor Is NOT an
Oxymoron
Humor benefits the workplace -
A little comic relief helps build camaraderie!
7. Is it me? Or was that not funny?
Using humor in the workplace does not mean
becoming the Jay Leno of your company!
When your boss asks you if you have a sense of humor,
she’s not asking if you are a clown!
8. Sarcasm – should I or shouldn’t I?
It may be funny but it may leave people with a bitter
or negative impression!
This is a hard one for many people to avoid, but if
you can be funny without being overly dependent on
negativity, your professional image will be much
higher.
9. If I can’t make fun of myself, who can I make
fun of?
When we make fun of ourselves, it
demonstrates a healthy outlook, showing
that we don’t take ourselves too seriously.
As a result we are seen as more
approachable and easygoing.
10. If I can’t make fun of myself, who can I make
fun of?
Self-depreciation is an excellent tool, but be careful to
use it in moderation, especially when you are around
authority figures or people who don’t know you.
This could backfire if you are always cracking jokes –
people may not ever take you seriously.
11. A Sense of Humor in the
Workplace
Realize when humor is appropriate and when it is not
appropriate.
A manager sang a few bars of “Laugh While the Whole
World is Crying” as he was laying off his employees.
His attempt to lighten the mood fell flat and was
perceived as cold and callous.
12. A Sense of Humor in the
Workplace
“Having a sense of humor has more to do with
being able to see that there are funny situations
all around us and feeling secure enough to laugh
at them than it does with entertaining others.”
“Sometimes people confuse the notion of a sense
of humor with the ability to tell a joke. We’re all
humor participants.”
13. So When Can I Use Humor in the
Workplace?
Know your audience and make sure that your
comment/joke won’t be seen as offensive.
Do not laugh or joke at the expense of another
person.
The most common mistake is that we make the
assumption that everyone is like we are.
The truth is that other people may not have your
sense of humor!
Pay attention to your coworkers mood. If used at
the wrong time, it can backfire and offend,
distract or upset someone.
14. WARNING!!!
“The inability to laugh may be a sign of impending
burnout. When it is no longer possible to find humor
in anything, it may be that the employee is in the
throes of burnout.”
15. Some Helpful Humor Guidelines
Humor breaks up boredom and fatigue.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing plant in Georgetown, KY
has pool tables and ping pong tables set up on the
manufacturing floor.
Humor fulfills human social needs.
Laughter indicates cooperation, anger typifies
opposition. If you can laugh with people, you can work
with them.
16. Some Helpful Humor Guidelines
Humor increases creativity and willingness to
help.
Happy employees can improve customer/student
satisfaction because we like doing business with those
who have a high “likeability factor”.
Humor fulfills the need for mastery or control.
Managers or supervisors can be also be seen as team
players, who can relax and enjoy life and others as well.
17. Some Helpful Humor Guidelines
Humor improves communication.
Advertisers are aware of the values of humor and spend
a lot of money each year to make funny commercials for
radio and television.
Humor breaks up conflict and tension.
Can effectively reduce the level and intensity of conflict
among employees.
18. What about when things aren’t so
funny?
Does this sound familiar?
What do you do then?
19. What about when things aren’t so
funny?
How does humor fit into these situations?
How can we keep our spirits up at times when we want
to scream?
Or maybe the real question is can we really keep our
sense of humor in times like these?
20. Tips For Keeping It Funny
Keep a childhood toy or photo of you or your children
as a reminder to keep the child in you at work.
Keep a stress ball in your desk – this is especially handy
when you’re on long phones calls.
Use a daily joke or positive calendar instead of a plain
one and READ IT!
21. Tips For Keeping It Funny
Have a joy jar on your desk and fill it with positive,
success-oriented saying, appropriate jokes and candy.
Use a nerf bat and ball to work out frustrations.
Name the office equipment and talk to it.
Have small jars of bubbles in your office and allow
everyone to blow bubbles.
22. But seriously…
Vent your frustrations with someone whom you trust.
Try not to take things personally. Somebody may just
be having a bad day.
Get out of your office – take a short walk, grab a snack,
step away for a break to relax and remember that this
too shall pass!
23. The Bottom Line on Humor
“We don’t need less humor at work; we just need
to make sure it’s the kind of humor that makes
hard tasks easier, collaborations fun and certainly
make workdays go faster. Use humor more
effectively, and the world still laughs with you.”
24. References Jones (2000), Workplace Humor is
Campbell, Sandra
NOT an Oxymoron or How to Create a Positive Workplace
Erickson, Randy (1995), Humor in the Workplace
Gliner, Art (2001), Humor in the Workplace 2001
Harrison, Craig (Nov. 2006), Coaching Tip: Jest Practices:
Best Practices for Humor in the Workplace
Johnston, Dr. Joni (2000), Lessons From the Humor
Police: How to evaluate workplace humor
Rau-Foster, Mary (June/July 2000), Humor and Fun in the
Workplace
Toupin, Edward B. (1999), A Sense of Humor in the
Workplace: Is It me? Or, was that not funny?
