If you’re looking for a way to add some levity in your workplace, then this article is just what the doctor ordered. We’ll be exploring how humor can help improve morale and productivity, as well as some strategies that will make it easier to use humor successfully. Along the way we’ll also be covering many of the important considerations when adding humor into your workplace culture.
In the previous article of this series, we looked at how humor can be used to make work more enjoyable. If you’re looking for a way to add some levity in your workplace, then this article is just what the doctor ordered. We’ll be exploring how humor can help improve morale and productivity, as well as some strategies that will make it easier to use humor successfully. Along the way we’ll also be covering many of the important considerations when adding humor into your workplace culture.
Humor has been shown time after time to have a significant positive effect on moods and increase feelings of supportiveness among co-workers (Laughter does not age: A longitudinal study; The impact of laughter on health). It’s an effective tool to use for short-term boosts in mood and energy, but can also be used as a tool over the long-term. For example:
A recent Stanford University study revealed that humor at work was linked with higher job satisfaction, more creativity and innovation, better relationships with supervisors or employees who are considered “difficult,” improved productivity, and lower levels of absenteeism.
The article also covers the benefits to humor for bosses, giving them an opportunity to create a positive mood in their workplace with something as simple as a funny email or greeting card.
It can be difficult sometimes, however, for leaders who are accustomed to controlling everything around them (including morale) but struggle when they don’t feel like they’re “in charge.” Humor can help by using it to take some pressure off themselves while still maintaining control over company culture-both without seeming out-of-touch or detached from what’s going on at work.
And even if you’re part of the old guard that doesn’t find jokes particularly amusing during meetings (I’m sorry), remember: There are plenty of other ways to incorporate humor into your workplace.
Maintaining a sense of lightheartedness in the office is important because no one wants their CEO coming down hard on them for a mistake.
Examples of how to use humor in the workplace:
Kids can’t help but laugh when they see more and more adults trying so hard to hold it together-even if there are tears streaming down their faces, or they’re holding back guffaws with all their might. Adults do not have this luxury! You may think that you need to act professional at all times because people will take offense, but what is professionalism anyway? It’s not always easy though - especially since many workplaces seem entirely devoid of laughter these days. But I can tell you from personal experience that once an office starts taking on some jokes, everyone just seems happier overall.
The idea of using humor in the workplace can seem daunting, but it’s not that difficult once you get into an office culture where everyone is on board with lightening up. You don’t need to be a comedian or even have funny jokes stored away for when someone cracks a joke-you just need to show people something funny and laugh! There are plenty of opportunities throughout our day-to-day lives that warrant laughter without having to go out looking for them.
Humor is one way we can connect as humans - laughing together builds trust among coworkers and strengthens relationships. Laughter has been studied extensively, too: science has shown us time and again how good it is at reducing stress levels instead of adding onto them (as many of us may believe!).
can seem daunting, but it’s not that difficult once you get into an office culture where everyone is on board with lightening up. You don’t need to be a comedian or even have funny jokes stored away for when someone cracks a joke-you just need to show people something funny and laugh! There are plenty of opportunities throughout our day-to-day lives that warrant laughter without having to go out looking for them. Humor is one way we can connect as humans - laughing together builds trust among coworkers and strengthens relationships. Laughter has been studied extensively, too: science has shown that laughter can have a positive impact on our mental and physical health.
Laughter is the best medicine, right? It’s been shown to reduce stress levels instead of adding onto them (as many of us may believe!).
Can seem daunting at first if you’re not used to it, but humor doesn’t need to be something that only comedians do - in an office culture where everyone is onboard with lightening up, anyone can join in! You don’t need jokes stored away for when someone cracks a joke-you just need show people something funny or laugh yourself. There are plenty of opportunities throughout your day that warrant laughter without having to go out looking for it either; find one today. Humor connects humans as we share in each other’s joy and laugh together.
There are a few ways to add humor into your workday:
a) Smile at someone who walks by
b) Keep an eye on the mood of those around you, then respond accordingly with something small like “You okay?” or “What should we do this afternoon?”
c) Make yourself available for others in case they need help-you can be there to offer support without such stress as long as you have time during the day! It not only helps them but it also benefits you. And if they don’t ask for any assistance, try lightening their mood before asking anything serious about what might be wrong - just make sure that whatever joke/comment is appropriate to the situation.
It’s also important to remember that humor can be used for more than just lightening up someone else’s mood-it can make you feel better too! When something bad happens, try joking about it or telling a story about how this has happened in your past and what you did then. Humor doesn’t have to come from other people - we laugh at ourselves all the time!
We are such social creatures so taking care of others by using our sense of humor is always appropriate ;)