Benefits of humour in the workplace

There’s no better way to top your list of most embarrassing moments than by going out on a limb with a joke at a meeting, only to have it fall flat. Or worse, cause offense. Yet, still we try. Why? Humor adds a much-needed dose of humanity, even, or especially, when it falls a little short.

Attempting humor in any situation, especially when you don’t know people well, can be risky. And the workplace is often full of relationship dynamics that make certain types of humor riskier than others. 

But done correctly, humor in the workplace can be a powerful force for good. Using the right kind and amount of humor at work can have several key benefits. 

Let’s take a closer look at when and how humor adds value to the workplace and when it doesn’t. Plus, let’s discuss how you can bring more laughter to your work life in a productive way.

Laughter truly is one of the best medicines. In fact, dentists have prescribed a daily dose of laughing to ease pain and stress. It’s also a contagious way to spread a little extra joy around a room. 

But there are many ways to get people to laugh, and not all are acceptable at work. So how do you define humor and being humorous, especially within a workplace environment?

So how can you add more humor in the workplace without forcing it? Let’s dive into few ways to bring more laughter to the office, whether you work in-person or remotely.

Start with yourself

First things first, it’s important not to take yourself too seriously. Instead, try a bit of self-deprecating humor.

One study looked at how self-deprecating humor functions at work. It turns out that when both leaders and employees share self-deprecating humor, the employees respect their leaders more.

Share funny videos, photos, and quotes with colleagues 

These days, there is an unending supply of laugh-out-loud funny internet content. You can easily look up humor in the workplace quotes to find work-appropriate memes and quotes you can share with your coworkers.

Sharing the content you love with others can help you bond with coworkers that have similar senses of humor. 

Of course, there’s a time and a place for everything, and every meeting doesn’t have to be a series of Instagram memes.

Share a funny story that happened to you 

Sharing about your life outside of work can also help people get to know you better and feel more connected. And if there’s a mildly embarrassing anecdote to share, it’s also a great opportunity to show that you don’t take yourself too seriously.

Engage in a fun game

There are plenty of workplace games that can inject more laughter into your day. Maybe your team wants to take a break on a sunny day to stretch their legs and play a quick cornhole tournament. 

Or maybe you start your next weekly meeting with a quick round of two truths and a lie. Fun, non-competitive games like this can be a great way to lighten the mood and help people bond. 

5. Use humor to defuse conflicts

Conflicts between coworkers or clients are never fun. Instead of letting a disagreement pull you further into a negative place, try some humor to lighten tensions and move forward in a positive way. 

6. Start a meeting on a fun note

Set the tone of your next important meeting with a fun surprise. Maybe you bring your favorite childhood snacks or play a funny video before your presentation.

When used correctly, humor in the workplace can be a boon to company morale. 

However, workplace humor dances on a fine line. Everyone from entry-level workers to C-suite executives should be aware of how to use humor for good at work.

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