When’s the last time you laughed at work? It’s easy to get so focused on calls and quotas that you forget laughter belongs in the office, too. Humor is a simple way to lighten the mood or break the ice. Humor reminds us that while the work we do is important, it can also be fun.
Too often, though, humor isn’t celebrated at work. In fact, author Adam Christing says it’s usually treated as a workplace extra. It’s nice when humor sneaks into your day, but it’s not necessary. This is why he thinks leaders should be more intentional about humor at work. In this issue of PromoPro Daily, we share his best ideas for embracing the power of humor in the workplace.
- Make the most of the unexpected. Laughter thrives on the unexpected, Christing says. He points out that medical science has found that surprise is like dopamine in disguise. When things don’t go as planned, from technology that isn’t working right to an unexpected comment in a meeting, find the humanity in the moment.
- Have fun with words. You can also infuse more humor with a clever line or a funny turn of phrase. For example, Christing says someone he knew had a sign on his desk: “Ask me about my vow of silence.” It made people smile, he says, and smiles build bridges.
- Amplify shared struggles. Christing says exaggeration can turn frustration into fun. If your team lives somewhere cold, for example, you could host a team contest called, “It’s SO cold …” and then offer a silly prize for the funniest entry. Get it started with a comment like, “It’s SO cold, my Starbucks is serving coffee on a stick.” Finding and amplifying shared challenges help people handle their stress without feeling crushed by it, he says.
- Poke fun at yourself. According to Christing, this one always works. You could say, “I thought my boss had no idea what they were talking about. Then I remembered: I’m self-employed.” Poking fun breaks perfectionism and allows people to be themselves.
- Use an inside joke. Maybe it’s a private Wi-Fi password or a silly nickname for the office scanner. You could give out fake awards like, “Most Creative Use Of Sticky Notes.” This type of humor tells your team you have a special bond and you’re in it together, Christing says.
You don’t have to be a naturally funny person to bring more humor into your day. You just have to be real. Be willing to poke fun at yourself and make light of some things. When you share laughter with your co-workers and clients, you’ll begin to build meaningful bonds.
Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: Adam Christing is a keynote speaker, author and humor expert.
