Everyone deserves to laugh. And one of the best places to let it all out is at work!
Key Takeaways
- Helps reduce stress and tension that might be building up
- Unites employees and helps encourage an atmosphere of support
- Makes work more enjoyable and promotes teamwork and collaboration
- Opens up communication and helps boost creativity levels
- Relieves boredom and gives team members newfound motivation and productivity
Here are five major benefits of HUMOR in the workplace.
See Related: 8 Reasons Why Teamwork Is Important At Work
#1. Helps Reduce Stress
We’ve all had that moment where we tried to share a joke during a team Zoom meeting, but no one heard it or got it. Though it can be a little embarrassing, it’s nothing to feel anxious about!
In fact, encouraging humor in the office can bring countless benefits to the workplace that you might not even realize.
I’ve been a corporate emcee for a while, and I’ve seen how a room of corporate professionals can quickly change from straight-faced expressions to crying from laughter in a moment. Just because you’re at work doesn’t mean you can’t laugh!
Feeling a bit skeptical about what a little humor at work can do? Here are a few benefits of workplace HUMOR that you can’t ignore.
An Easy Stress-Relief Tactic
Stress is all around us. Whether at home or work, it’s easy to let our emotions get the best of us sometimes and feel the tension rise.
It’s essential to find the right stress management tactics to stay sane. This is how we can preserve and boost our mental health and make the office a bit more enjoyable.
If you’ve been struggling to find the perfect way to help erase that workplace stress, the most effective yet simple method has been hiding under your nose. Humor at work has been shown to help reduce stress levels, especially in high-pressure work environments.
People who feel stressed may be more likely to make mistakes and even experience burnout. Either can be detrimental to any workplace, so finding ways to alleviate stress is essential.
Laughter can help people relax, leading to improved mental health and well-being. So, crack a few jokes with your co-workers, and help them shake off that extra tension!
#2. Unites Team Members
When I say “humor at work,” remember this can be many different things. There’s not just one kind of comedy. And especially in a professional work environment, you must know what type of humor style you should use.
For example, any crude, dirty, or inappropriate jokes likely shouldn’t be shared in the office. Though that’s common sense, I thought I’d reiterate just to be safe.
As a funny keynote speaker myself, I craft my content to be 100% clean while maintaining a hilarious dialogue. Because the workplace isn’t suitable for divisive topics or crude jokes.
So, what exactly do I mean by humor in the office?
Types Of Workplace Humor At Work
Everyone reacts to jokes and comedy differently. We all have a unique sense of humor, and it’s important to celebrate that!
Researchers at the Academy of Management have previously found there to be four different main styles of humor in the workplace.
- Self-defeating humor is when someone uses self-deprecating humor or puts themselves down in a comfortable and approachable style.
- Affiliative humor involves hilarious personal stories or jokes that ease social tensions.
- Self-enhancing humor allows people to add some joy and enjoyment to a situation through positive comedy.
- Aggressive humor resorts to putting down others in an attempt to be funny. And I’ll say now that you should avoid this humor in the workplace.
Camaraderie Through Humor
The workplace is where many of us are able to connect with others. Often, we share similar passions and interests, and it’s easy to find something to unite us.
But one of the best ways to really tie the whole team together is through humor. When we can share a laugh with each other, it really strengthens any bond while letting new friendships blossom!
Humor can help bring people together and create a sense of unity at work. Laughing with others can break down barriers and help your team feel more comfortable with each other.
Besides, when employees feel at ease and comfortable, it can lead to better teamwork, communication, and a more enjoyable work culture. The benefits of humor are seemingly endless!
#3. Makes Work More Fun!
Maybe in the past, a few of your employees have had a bad experience at a workplace. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for some employers to create a feeling of restriction in the workplace, stifling creativity and happiness.
But the workplace should be fun!
And that doesn’t mean productivity and focus will suffer. In fact, an enjoyable workplace is essential for motivating employees and improving engagement.
Everyone can agree that humor makes things more fun. Positive humor at work can go a long way in creating a fulfilling atmosphere while contributing to a comfortable work environment.
Humor can make work more enjoyable by adding an element of fun to otherwise mundane tasks! This can help employees stay engaged and focused, leading to better results overall.
Bonus: 7 Interactive Meeting Entertainment Ideas
#4. Opens Up Communication And Creativity
The lifeblood of any organization is communication. All employees need to be able to freely share ideas with each other and management. Projects and tasks can’t be successfully completed unless all members are open to communication.
If you feel like your team is a little reluctant to open the lines of communication, it may be because they aren’t entirely comfortable yet. There could be many reasons for this.
But ultimately, communication boils down to things like trust and rapport. Your team needs to know that they can trust you!
And a great way to bolster that trust is through the shared experience of humor.
How Humor Can Help Connect People At Work
When people can share a laugh, it breaks down barriers. These can be emotional barriers between a new hire and a company veteran. Or, it could be barriers between different positions or departments.
Laughter is a cure for many things. And it’s essential for friendships or relationships of any kind – even workplace relationships.
Humor can also help create a more healthy attitude towards work and colleagues. When people feel good about their work environment, they are more likely to communicate in a comfortable and constructive way.
Humor can save the day even when high-pressure projects are due or inevitable office conflicts arise. By diffusing tension with humor, people can communicate more effectively and find a resolution to the issue.
Lastly, humor can truly help improve the listening skills of others and even foster innovation in the office. Some laughter can capture people’s attention and help them focus on a conversation.
#5. Relieves Workplace Bordeom And Encourages Productivity
Work can be a place to explore creative ideas and new innovations. It’s a place where many people find solace in the idea that when they apply themselves fully, they are also contributing toward a greater purpose.
Many of us spend 40 hours a week or so at the office. That’s a lot of time in one place doing perhaps repetitive or often mundane tasks. So though there’s often excitement at work, it’s not always that exciting.
It’s natural for people to feel a little bored at work. It’s an inevitable part of the job sometimes! But, even if you love your position, there can be days when you lack energy.
However, some great jokes and comedy can help reawake your mind and energize you. When your employees share a laugh, it can stimulate new thinking.
When work gets repetitive, it can also be easy to feel unmotivated and lack productivity. Humor can provide a mental break from the task, allowing people to recharge and return to work with renewed focus and energy.
It can also stimulate creative thinking by encouraging people to approach problems and challenges innovatively. This can help boost productivity by leading to more effective problem-solving and decision-making.
Wrapping Up
So, the next time you’re thinking of cracking a joke at the office meeting, go for it. Even if it doesn’t hit home, a little bit of humor is all it takes to turn someone’s day around.
Keep Reading: 12 Corporate Team Building Activities Your Employees Will Actually Love
—
Adam Christing has been called “The Tom Brady of emcees.” He has hosted more than 1,000 company meetings, special events, gala celebrations, and more. He is the author of several books and founder of CleanComedians.com. For more event tips, follow Adam Christing on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
