The idea of using humor to enhance business and consequently increase creativity, improve relationships, minimize stress and attract clients is not a new one. It’s been around for years.
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elling a joke is not necessary to establish a reputation as a light hearted person with whom to work. Joke telling takes a certain kind of personality and skill. If you are good at it go for it, but choose your jokes appropriately. Use puns sparingly. Though people laugh at puns, you risk giving the message that you believe you are superior.Most people are looking for a relaxed and spontaneous response in conversations. Indeed, Dr. Robert Provine discovered in his research, that only about 10 to 20 per cent of laughter is created by something considered “humorous.” We smile and laugh to give the message, “I like you and want contact.” Smile and laugh no matter how you get there. It is good for your health and increases your client and co-worker likeability factor.Avoid perfection and add more fun to your work. Laugh at mistakes. “Oops, there goes my delete button. Too bad it was this week’s appointments. Now what would I like to commit myself to–the psych ward?” This is called self-deprecating humor. If you can’t give up your perfectionist tendencies, at least laugh at them. Self-deprecation not only makes you more approachable, it is a wonderful coping mechanism.
Hints for business discussions:
- If you have something humorous to say that helps make the point, do so but do not use a joke or a one-liner to impress. It will not on its own. The following fun statement supports a financial discussion. “This proposal will solve three of our main problems but it doesn’t guarantee we will win the lottery.”
- Humor is a conversation lubricant. When words feel tense, a little humor can relax the atmosphere. Rather than criticize others, tell a self-deprecating and brief story that “demonstrates” what you learned. “That reminds me of a time I was going to change my colleague. I learned that all I could change was a dime for two nickels.”
- When selling a product or service give specific facts about it and keep your humor in the background. Perhaps the benefit could be humorous. There is a comedy formula called “the rule of three.” The first two points are truthful details while the last is a fun surprise. “Our slicer/dicer will 1) make food preparation easier, 2) will help you create gourmet meals and 3) will keep you up with the Jones’ slicer/dicer.”
- Business creativity can be increased by letting go and brain storming possible off the wall ideas. Doing so allowed products such as Post-Its to be invented. They were born out of glue that went wrong.
- Make fun of stressful situations. Use exaggeration, reversal and spontaneity. Exaggeration: “Woe is me and my business. That prospect said no and I’m doomed for bankruptcy.” Reversal: “Lucky me! That prospect said no so I have time to make some cold calls.” Spontaneity: “That prospect said no. Now what creative move can I make?”
Hints for meetings:
- Arrive with fun food such as pop corn, licorice or a cookies.
- Meet standing up, especially if you want your meeting brief. No, I didn’t say dressed in your meeting briefs!
- Have speakers be “in the nose.” Pass a silly nose to the speaker of the moment.
- Give a standing ovation to those who come up with great ideas.
- Make a big deal about ending on time. “We did it!”
More hints for the office:
- Start the day by reading the comics.
- Start a humor bulletin board.
- Cut out your favourite “funny” and tack it to your humor bulletin board or mail to an appropriate client. Do you remember the envelope, stamp and mail box routine?
- Play fun and upbeat music. I like the oldie but goodie “Rock Around the Clock.” Sounds like your workday, eh?
- Pass on silly email messages. Push “delete” on the heavy, moralizing ones.
- In the washroom have some fun items to see and read. Uncle John’s Bathroom series are a delight to have handy.
- Drink your herbal tea or water from a funky mug with a cheery image.
- Collect objects for your office that bring smiles such as Groucho Marx glasses, fun pen or a humorous poster (download FREE ones here).
- Make yourself a personalized workaholic sign such as “Thank God It’s Monday.”
Enhance your work. Put on a happy face, see the craziness of seeking perfectionism, make yourself a humorous target, find joy in being human and make a million doldrum-free moments.
How to you or your co-workers use humor in the workplace?
