We all love to laugh, right? In fact, we’re probably hard-wired to laugh. That’s why we keep going back time and time again to photos of grinning dogs and videos of cackling babies. Laughing just feels good. It makes us relax, breathe more deeply and release endorphins. But, there are different kinds of humor, and some lend themselves more to certain environments than others.
This is especially true when it comes to the workplace. Before you put that whoopee cushion on your colleague’s chair, take a pause and give it some thought. Why? Because humor at work is good, but can also be fraught with pitfalls. It’s all in how you approach it.
Studies show that employers prefer to hire people with a sense of humor, according to Work & Family Columnist Sue Shellenbarger on wsj.com. She cites one study that found that mixing laughter and fun into a company culture attracts skilled workers. And a Penn State study found that our brains light up over a good laugh like it would over a fat bonus check! Dilbert creator Scott Adams says that other people see you as more likeable and smarter if they think you’re funny. So shouldn’t we all start polishing up our joke repertoires?
Being an effective jokester at work apparently isn’t that simple and is a real art, Shellenbarger wrote earlier this month. As most find out sooner or later, the office is a “comedic minefield.” To make your colleagues laugh, you have to have good timing, self-confidence and the ability to rebound if you fall flat.
Shellenbarger taps experts for advice for would-be office joke-tellers. Here are some great tips:
- If you’re not in the habit of being funny, by all means, don’t start at the office. Work on perfecting your jokes in a less-consequential environment (hopefully your family and pets are tolerant). Besides, not everyone can or should be “the funny one.”
- Timing is everything. Even an experienced joke teller needs to know when it’s appropriate. Jokes usually aren’t appreciated during serious discussions, for example. Or if someone’s body language is telling you they’re having a bad day or are just not up for it, just can it.
- Always have a funny comeback in your back pocket in case your joke bombs. Make it self-deprecating and warm, experts say.
As the world and workplace have become more diverse, we all pay more attention to not being offensive and staying on the right side of political correctness. But it’s not always easy or clear. We think we know the taboo topics: Obviously racist, ethnic or sexist jokes are out. But think about those other “lines,” too, some of which are drawn around areas that end up being many shades of gray. Two examples: Jokes having to do with religion. And, sarcasm (can be very funny but is frequently heard as negativity or criticism). At a minimum, think about how your joke would come off it were to appear on Twitter or Facebook. So your task, Office Jokester, is not only to be genuinely funny but also to keep it positive. Be sure to read Shellenbarger’s article here, which also talks about how things like taking improv classes can help improve interpersonal skills and humor.
Even though the wrong kind of humor can get you into serious hot water at the office, there are many more good reasons for us to keep entertaining each other at work. Shellenbarger writes that the best office humor brings people together and creates a common bond. Done carefully and correctly, humor can be a great way for people to playfully disagree or deliver criticism. And humor makes all of us, but especially managers and senior executives, more human and approachable.
Image courtesy of Grant Cochrane / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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