“What’s the Deal With…” - Humor in the Workplace banner image

“What’s the Deal With…” - Humor in the Workplace

I laugh. A lot. Whether I am laughing with a hysterical colleague or trying to create the one liners myself, I consider it a great day if my cheeks hurt at the end of the day.

Dwight Eisenhower once said, "A sense of humor is part of the art of leadership, of getting along with people, of getting things done." I believe that.  

Laughter at work is an incredibly difficult balance. As a foundational element, most people will agree that a little levity can serve to diffuse tense situations, and bond people into a stronger team. Humor can reduce stress, and improve productivity. However, it can also serve to alienate or upset people.

Humor tends to have a little edge to it – that’s what makes it funny.  Some have an innate ability to provide comic relief. Unfortunately, if you aren’t Tina Fey or Chris Rock, it can be hard to deliver well.  In addition, many of us tend to take ourselves WAAAAYYY too seriously in the workplace.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to humor.  What my team finds hysterical might garner nary a chuckle from another team down the hall.  While it might be a sweeping generalization, I will suggest that the healthier the culture of a company; the more open to humor people are.  Think about it.  If you work in an environment which fosters open dialogue and has a collaborative nature, chances are it is far more open to people letting their guard down enough to embrace humor.  I’m not suggesting everyone become a comedian; just that even the more reserved among us tend to be a little more comfortable embracing the funny when they are in a more relaxed environment.

Whether you are the office comedian or just someone who enjoys a good laugh every day, there are a few points to consider while maximizing the fun and minimizing potential issues.

DON’T TRY TOO HARD

If you have a natural gift of funny and you constantly have people in stitches, amazing.  However, there’s nothing worse than someone who thinks she’s funny when she isn’t.  Self-awareness aside, it’s a fine line between using humor to defuse a difficult situation and using that same humor as a weapon of zinging another person. Winston Churchill said, “Humor is a very serious thing.”  He’s right.  When executed well, it’s hugely appreciated.  When not, it can result in a horrible experience for people.  While a leader can certainly boost her effectiveness with a healthy sense of humor, don’t let trying to get your funny on displace the need to do your job.

USE IT TO BOND, NOT REPEL

These days, there are a variety of topics that are off limits in the workplace…politics, religion, innuendo…sometimes comments that are intended to offer a benign chuckle result in completely offending someone.  Use your humor to bring the group closer together and more comfortable – not drive the team apart.  Sarcasm can fall flat, as well as making jokes at someone else’s expense.  So whether it’s a binge worthy television show or a ridiculous new product, find something relatable to laugh at that binds you all together.

IF YOU CAN SAY IT IN FRONT OF YOUR KIDS…

While you can likely let pretty much anything fly when you are with your closest buddies, appropriateness is the name of the game when it comes to "work humor".  Even with the best of intentions, racist, sexist and ageist jokes are a no go.  Remember, a zinger disguised with humor is still a zinger. A general rule of thumb?  If you wouldn’t make the joke in front of your kid or your mom, it’s probably not right for the office.  

We can’t all be the next host of Saturday Night Live, but at work, we don’t need to be.  A simple laugh will go a very long way in terms of lightening the mood, reducing the stress of a tough work day, and bonding colleagues even closer together.  Just remember your audience is professional, and you’re more likely to have people in stitches!


Christina Luconi is Chief People Officer for Rapid7. Follow her on Twitter: @peopleinnovator.