Laugh and the world of work laughs with you
Many of today’s work environments are plagued by grumpy bosses and coworkers, repetitive tasks, and unpredictable market pressures. Stress abounds. Managers often tell me they can’t afford the time or cost for my comedy workshops; How can they afford not to address stress in the workplace?
We clinically know that laughter and play have medicinal qualities, offering physical, psychological and physiological benefits as well. In the workplace, humor and fun can increase productivity, foster creativity, enhance team building, and therefore improve team spirit.
While we may not be able to control everything that happens to us in our jobs and work environments, we do have control over how we choose to react. I coach others on how to create an environment that is safe and friendly, and I use humor to help maintain a healthy balance between the pressure and seriousness that comes from high-stakes jobs and a competitive marketplace. Remember that humor starts from within. Being able to laugh at your own weaknesses goes a long way toward creating a healthy work climate in which to thrive.
The following are activities and strategies for you as an individual, a work group, and a manager. Get creative and use these ideas to stimulate your own remedies for work stress.
– Deck your work area with funny cartoons, headlines or photos that bring a smile to your face and your coworkers. Whether you’re surrounded by your childhood favorite Pez dispensers or tongue-in-cheek cartoons that speak to your tastes, let your workspace comfort you and make you laugh while taking a bit of edge off standard office decor. .
– Touch a coworker to be your humor partner. Bring a daily joke to share. Commissioner on fun events in the workplace. Keep each other in good spirits. When the chips are down, your humorous partner can undermine your depression, and vice versa.
– Don’t think cubicles limit your humor options. I’ve seen shower curtains, umbrellas, and other devices used effectively to set a light or semi-serious tone. For some, creativity flourishes behind the shower curtain of their cubicle. People manipulating your work area? Don’t be mad… protect it with yellow “Crime Scene” tape!
– Subscribe to a humor website to receive a free daily or weekly humor story, joke, and anecdote by email. Sites like http://www.netfunny.com/rhf/ or [http://www.oraclehumor.com/] are two examples.
You are laughing at me? A manager, known for his bad temper, recognized him with a “Mood-O-Meter” outside his door. Both he and his employees took turns forecasting his mood: from spitting fire to variable clouds to periodic eruptions… proceed at his own risk. Don’t underestimate the power of modest humor to make you more accessible and liked.
Space for Laughter. Some companies designate a room, work area or corner of their office as a romper room, where games and silliness are allowed. Whether yours has a punching bag, games, dart board, or foosball table, it’s a space to blow off steam and take a break from the grind.
not wine. Everyone hates crybabies, but we all need to vent periodically. A group of creative coaches and their manager decreed that Thursdays were effective whining days. They controlled themselves the rest of the week, making sure not to whine. Yet even his Thursday complaints had departmental sanction and somehow seemed healthier. After all, their belly ached together. A domino effect improved the morale of the departments adjacent to yours!
Distributing Humor. Many professionals approach meetings with fear. A pinch of humor can make all the difference. For regular meetings, spend a minute or two each meeting for a humorous interlude. In a work group, a “hand of humor” rotates from one meeting to another. Employees take turns setting a lighter tone in the meeting, making sure everyone participates. An anecdote, a verbal or physical activity focuses the group on the task at hand and brings colleagues together in a spirit of fun.
When not to use Humor. Not all humor is good humor. Humor that hurts, ostracizes, or is cruel will have a detrimental effect on others and on you. Strive for humor that is inclusive, creative and captures our human essence. By now you know that sexist, racist, age-discriminatory jokes, and crude humor are not only inappropriate, but can lead to penalties, termination, or even lawsuits. Be sensitive when telling jokes involving layoffs, downsizing (RIFs), and personal tragedies. Your pain may linger long after the fact. . When in doubt… leave it out!
The right humor can make difficult tasks easier, collaborations fun, and certainly make work days go by faster. Laugh, and the world of work laughs with you!