What are some benefits of having a good sense of humor at work?

Julia, was invited to Japan to lecture on leading across cultures. Wanting to start the first presentation on Cultural Sensitivity well, she was tempted to start with a joke as was normal for her back in the UK. Being aware that it can be common in Japan to start with an apology and facing a mixed audience of local Japanese business people and staff from the British embassy she began: “In the UK we’d normally start by telling you a joke while here in Japan you’d perhaps start with an apology. So…I apologise for not telling you a joke”. And bowed. The laughter from both cultural groups was immediate and inclusive. Humour had crossed borders. Adjusting your humour to suit the context is key, since it has the power to include or exclude.

If you liked Julia’s story, here’s Mark’s. A great presenter back home in the USA, he started his presentation to a very senior local business audience in Japan with a funny story to make his point. Most of the audience had headphones to receive the consecutive interpretation. The story lasted around 2 minutes and he waited for the translation. After 20 seconds the audience roared with laughter and clapped. Pleased with the reaction but perplexed by the timing, Mark continued his talk. Approaching the interpreter afterwards, Mark asked how he’d translated the story so quickly. After Mark insisted, the interpreter admitted to saying: “American gentleman has made a joke, please all laugh NOW!” The interpreter reconciled a dilemma immediately!

Embracing humor at work isn't just about laughs; it's a game-changer. A good sense of humor fosters camaraderie, breaking down barriers. It's the secret sauce for a positive workplace culture, easing tensions and creating a shared language. Humor is the unsung hero of resilience; it helps us navigate challenges with grace. In a world of deadlines and meetings, a good laugh is a breath of fresh air, promoting creativity and reducing stress. So,let's not underestimate the power of a well-timed joke or a shared smile; it's the glue that binds teams and turns the mundane into memorable. I think when v learn to laugh on ourselves,rather than making others a target, we make colleagues our friends.We can always laugh on ourselves with self respect

Having a sense of humour at work is crucial, but it's equally important to know your audience. I personally tend to gravitate towards those with a similar sense of humour to mine. However, it's worth trying some light-hearted humour with those who may be more reserved to help them come out of their shell. By building a team that can enjoy each other's company and have fun even during tough times, we can create a positive work environment.

Having a sense of humour at work reduces the tension and stress within your colleagues. It also builds stronger team dynamics and creates a better well-being around you. With clients it builds rapport and leaves a positive impression. Have you heard that laughter is infectious?

Totally agree, critical to have a sense of humour in the workplace. In a global environment humour is universal, jokes are not.

Humor is undoubtedly an essential aspect of work, but it is equally necessary to recognize when a joke has crossed the line. Often, we tend to make jokes about our colleagues that may seem amusing at first, but if continuously repeated, it can become derogatory and offensive, and others may join in, which can be distressing for the person being targeted. Having witnessed this kind of behavior multiple times in the workplace, I can say that it is highly unjustifiable. It's crucial to pay attention to the people we work with, comprehend their moods, and acknowledge that they may be going through different phases in their lives or may not be in a humorous mood.

I have always used (tactful) humor to win over potential detractors, break the ice in uncomfortable situations, and build rapport with important stakeholders. Plus, it makes the work day a lot more enjoyable!