Some people laugh hard, and they can’t help it. They say laughter is contagious, but some say it is also obnoxious. Either way, it is made a lot of workers better professionals. Before, work is the opposite of fun, and laughter is synonymous with wasting time in the workplace.
We will never know if this is because of the supervisors that slow down the workflow, or because white-collar managers are not doing anything productive. But it is pretty evident that the corporate America we know desperately suffers from an epidemic of over seriousness.
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It makes workers miserable or unhappy that will result in workers getting less productive, less creative and poor relationships in the workplace. Laughter is a very refreshing break from the metronome of deadlines and revenue targets. Laughter does not make workers look any less professional – it makes everyone enjoy the job they are doing and the people they are working with.
Companies spend a lot of money on letting their employees enjoy happy hours, team building and off-site activities in the hopes that the employees will get the results that can improve the overall success of the company. Laughter is a cheaper and simpler way to get that result.
Laughter can make employees more creative and productive
Companies need to change the perception that productivity and laughter are at odds; they are not. According to studies, there is a big chance that people do better when it comes to problem-solving if they are happy and in a good mood. Workers do better after watching a funny video compared to watching anxiety-inducing videos.
It is not a surprise that people solved more problems with the right insights after laughing. Managers who cultivate creativity in their employees successfully can create an environment for them to do it. One way to best do it is by encouraging fun and humor in the office.
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It helps people relax around each other and can create an enjoyable and playful culture that will let them create ideas around each other without the fear of getting shot down. A playful, humorous and lighthearted environment is conducive when ideas are newly hatched and incubating – the phase when employees are most vulnerable to being shut out or expressed because of being self-censored or judged.
Is humor a liability?
Obviously, not all humor is appropriate in an office setting. When representing the company, the bathroom, and locker room humor, as well as xenophobic, homophobic, religious, malicious, sexist, and political humor is a big no-no. Listed below are the types of jokes that are safe for office use and the best ways that you can use it.
Self-deprecating jokes – It is where workers make fun of themselves, and is always the best choice when it comes to office humor because there is a low risk of offending other people. After all, it is yourself that you are making fun of. Employees usually crack this type of joke when finishing up a presentation (“I have already bored everyone enough, so let’s wrap it up”).
Although this joke is pretty old, we would not recommend anyone to use it. According to top HR recruiters, this type of humor indicates to other people that you are a good sport about your flaws and imperfections; everyone admires a person who does not take themselves too seriously, and it sets an excellent example that it is okay for people to make small mistakes.
Unexpected jokes – Throwing unexpected responses every time is a non-disruptive and quick way to get a laugh. So, respond to your company’s instant messaging group conversations with short but witty responses. Is this important? The answer is a resounding yes. Will people crack a smile? Unless they hate the reference, there is a big chance that the response will get a smile or a crackle from your co-workers.
Sarcasm – This one is tricky. Some people’s charm rests on their skill in throwing sarcastic responses. Quality sarcasm is very effective and a beauty to behold. Research shows that there’s a positive correlation between intelligence and sarcasm, but too much sarcasm can come off as a negative response, that is why use it sparingly.
What if you are just not funny or do not find others funny? That is okay; do not force it. But do not be the Grinch of the office by frowning at people who enjoy a laugh or two. Instead, try to understand what they are giggling about and join them. Laughter is the sound of collaboration and bonding, and it is the hallmark and the foundation of a very productive company.
