Let’s be honest: We could all use a little more laughter in our lives.
We all love to laugh, and it is healthy. Even in the office, humor can contribute to a positive workplace culture, where people feel comfortable on the job and not overly stressed out. But, since the workplace is a unique setting, we need to be more careful than usual.
If you’re trying to bring more laughter to work, here are five pointers to keep in mind.
Keep the humor light. Jokes shouldn’t be cutting or overly complicated. They should be easily understood by everyone at work, not just a select few. Inside jokes can be funny, but they run the risk of excluding others when workplaces should be inclusive places to get along. The best kinds of jokes appeal to a broad audience.
Humor can’t hurt. Jokes should never, ever be hurtful to anyone. Racism and sexism are obviously out of bounds, but this needs to be reiterated. When people try to be edgy with their jokes, that is a slippery slope. Remember: Even if you’re personally not offended by a joke, your colleague might be hurt, and your boss might not be happy about it. Playing it safe is smarter than being “out there.”
Be careful with imitations. When done well, the initiation game is funny, especially with friends and family. Just check out comedians like Frank Callendo, whose imitations make you double-take and burst out laughing. But employees should steer clear of imitating someone else at work, whether it’s a colleague, a boss or anyone else. More often than not, office imitations come at the expense of someone else, and that person probably won’t be a fan. If you want to imitate, you’re better off mimicking an animal than another person.
Safer jokes are still funny. Don’t underestimate the “dad joke,” which tends to be a hit without being offensive (except to dads). On the surface, dad jokes are corny, but that is sort of the goal. Corniness can diffuse office tension. Case in point: “What do you call a fake noodle? An impasta.” Here’s another one: “Why don’t skeletons fight? They don’t have the guts.” (Corny, yes, but I still chuckled.)
Laugh at Maine’s expense. Remember where we all work: The beautiful state of Maine. While it is a great place to live, our state isn’t perfect, and we can certainly make fun of it. Maybe it’s the Maine accent or something quirky about your city or town. The point is that jokes about Maine can be inherently inclusive because we all know the state so well. Here’s a dad joke for Mainers: “What’s the difference between a dirty bus station and a lobster with chest implants? One is a crusty bus station and the other is a busty crustacean.”
Staying positive
Of course, there is more to humor than a solid joke. There is also much more to a positive workplace culture than laughing. Whether you’re cracking a joke or not, it is important to bring levity to work in other ways. Even a cheerful attitude can go a long way in bringing people together. Simply walking around with a smile can diffuse tension, and there’s no harm in smiling. Try not to take life too seriously.
Yes, work can be a drag. I’ve been running a public relations agency for decades, and I love my job, but it isn’t always a blast. However, we should all try to be a little more positive at work, not just for the employer paying the bill, but also for those around us. Laughter is contagious, and so is a positive attitude. And vice versa: If one employee is disgruntled, that can easily spread throughout the office, souring the general mood.
I personally love to laugh. If you’ve ever heard me laugh, you know that it’s loud and somewhat memorable. People have suggested that I record my laugh and sell it. I haven’t really explored that option for adding revenue to my agency’s bottom line, but don’t be surprised if you come across a Nancy Marshall Laugh Track available at some point.
Let’s stay positive and keep laughing. Humor makes life a fun ride, even at your desk.
