The Use and Abuse of Humour At Work
The Use and Abuse of Humour at Work
At work, it can be good to have a laugh and can be very beneficial:.
- Laughing can help build a good team spirit.
- It can make the time pass more quickly.
- It can make you appear more attractive.
- Humour can make work more fun.
It is GOOD to have a laugh.
But not always!
Sometimes it is NOT good to laugh. Sometimes it is better to NOT clown around.
There are two things to be wary of;
- Humour as a weapon.
- Too much self-depreciative humour.
1. Using humour as a weapon
Be cautious of anyone who uses humour as a weapon to tear others down.
Some people have hostile intentions, but they express those hostile intentions in the form of sarcastic humour or jokes at the other's expense.
Some people use humour as a form of passive aggression or bullying.
I call this type, The Smiling Assassin.
Don't be a smiling assassin.
And don't allow the smiling assassin the freedom to attack you in meetings, and dress it up as a "Joke".
Take-on the smiling assassin.
2. Self-depreciative humour
Be cautious of using too much self-depreciative humour. This is when a person makes himself/herself the butt of their own jokes. He turns himself into a clown and puts himself down, as a joke.
A small amount of self-depreciation is endearing, as it shows that you are not egotistical. But if you do it too much, you turn into a Boris Johnson-type clown figure.
And it is interesting to note that Boris Johnson failed to achieve his stated goal of becoming prime minister; partly due to the fact that he has spent many years building a public persona that is that of the clown. And nobody will follow a clown into battle.
So don't always strive to be the funny one, in the meeting.
You don't have to be a comedian, to win.
Let the other person be the funny one, whilst you concern yourself with making the decisions.
Don't be the funny guy;
Be a serious person, with a sense of humour.
The double-edged sword of humour for leaders and managers.
Definition: workplace humour
Workplace humour is the light hearted talk and jokes shared during daily work that ease stress, build team spirit, spark new ideas and stay within respectful, professional limits. If it happens outside work, is not funny talk, harms the team, or breaks respect, it is no longer workplace humour.
Show CG4D Definition
- Happens during work based interaction
- Uses jokes, wit or playful comments to prompt laughter
- Aims to build bonds, cut stress or stir fresh ideas
- Stays respectful and never mocks or bullies anyone
Article Summary
Use humour at work to bond teams, ease stress and spark ideas, but watch the line: jokes that wound or endless self-put-downs break trust and harm your standing. Lead by example, laugh with people not at them, and keep every punchline kind, clear and on purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that frequently get asked about this topic during our training sessions.
What are the main benefits of workplace humour?
When does a joke at work cross the line into bullying?
Who is the "smiling assassin" in workplace humour?
How much self-put-down humour is safe at work?
Can trying to be the funniest in every meeting harm my image?
How should I respond if a colleague uses a hostile joke in a meeting?
What simple rule helps leaders set safe humour boundaries?
Thought of something that's not been answered? Ask Us Today!
Did You Know: Key Statistics
A 2021 Harvard Business Review survey of 1,500 workers found staff who laugh with co workers every day are 30% more engaged and 36% more likely to feel creative at work. The CIPD Good Work Index 2023 reports that 14% of UK staff faced jokes they felt were bullying or hostile in the past year.About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years' experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
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