Four Convincing Reasons Why You Should Use Humor at Work
Laughter may be the best medicine, but it can also be a powerful tool in the workplace. A recent study found that people stop laughing frequently when they enter the workforce, but start again around age 80. This is a problem, as humor is a teachable skill and one of the most underappreciated assets at work.
Sharpen Your Leadership Edge: Join 3,000+ executives receiving weekly, actionable insights from industry experts. Subscribe free to The Thoughtful Leader and elevate your team's performance.
Benefit 1: Humor Motivates Others, Increases Team Strength, and Creativity
Leaders with a good sense of humor are seen as 27% more motivating and their teams are more bonded and creative.
Benefit 2: Humor Improves Business Results
But the benefits of humor don't stop there. Studies show that adding a lighthearted line into a sales pitch can increase willingness to pay by nearly 20%.
Benefit 3: Builds likability and trust
Laughter has the power to break the ice, defuse tension, and build trust. When strangers share a laugh before a conversation, they end up disclosing more personal information, leading to a feeling of closeness.
Benefit 4: Laughter improves mental health
In addition to the benefits it brings to the workplace, laughter also has physical and mental health benefits. When we laugh, our brains release a cocktail of hormones, including endorphins, which give us a similar feeling to a runner's high; lower our cortisol, making us feel calmer; and release dopamine, the same hormone released during sex, making us feel more bonded. Essentially, as far as our brains are concerned, laughing is like exercising, meditating, and having sex all at the same time.
How to Use Humor at Work
So, how can we bring humor back to the workplace? First and foremost, it's important to be mindful of others' feelings and boundaries. Nobody wants to be the target of a joke that crosses the line. But there are plenty of ways to incorporate humor into work without causing offense.
One way is to find ways to be playful. This could be as simple as using emojis in emails or having a "joke of the day" at meetings. Taking time to laugh with colleagues, whether it's during a team lunch or just a quick break, can also help foster a sense of camaraderie and ease tensions.
Another effective strategy is to use humor to address difficult situations. For example, when the world went into quarantine in early 2020, one CEO led a virtual offsite for his entire organization. To break the tension and provide a moment of levity, he intentionally left his screen-share on and typed "things inspirational CEOs say during hard times" into a Google search. The resulting laughter was a beautiful moment of levity and had real upside for the organization.
So next time you're feeling stressed at work, try finding a way to bring some humor into the situation. Your team (and your brain) will thank you.
Sharpen Your Leadership Edge: Join 3,000+ executives receiving weekly, actionable insights from industry experts. Subscribe free to The Thoughtful Leader and elevate your team's performance.
