Many of today’s work environments are rife with moody bosses and co-workers, repetitive tasks and unpredictable market pressures. Stress abounds. Managers often tell me they can’t afford the time or cost for my humor workshops; how can they afford not to address workplace stress.
We know clinically that laughter and play have medicinal qualities, offering physical, psychological and physiological benefits as well. In the workplace, humor and fun can increase productivity, encourage creativity, enhance team building, and thus improve esprit de corps.
While we may not be able to control everything that happens to us in our jobs and work environments, we do have control over how we choose to react. I coach others how to create an environment which is safe and friendly, and use humor to help maintain a healthy balance between the pressure and seriousness which comes from high stakes jobs and a competitive marketplace. Remember that humor starts from within. Being able to laugh at your own foibles goes a long way toward creating a healthy work climate in which to flourish.
The following are activities and strategies for you as individuals, workgroups and managers. Be creative and use these ideas to stimulate your own remedies to workplace stress.
- Adorn your work area with cartoons, headlines or funny photos which bring a smile to your face and visiting co-workers’. Whether you’re surrounded by your favorite Pez dispensers childhood, or wry cartoons that speak to your tastes, let your work area comfort and humor you while taking some of the edge off the standard office decor.
- Tap a co-worker to be your humor-partner. Bring a daily joke to share. Commiserate about funny workplace events. Keep each other buoyed with good cheer. When the chips are down your humor partner can chip away at your depression, and vice versa.
- Don’t think cubicles limit your humor options. I’ve seen shower curtains, umbrellas and other devices used effectively to set a light or semi-serious tone. For some, creativity flourishes behind their cubicle’s shower curtain. People tampering with your work area? Don’t get angry…protect it with yellow “Crime Scene” tape!
- Subscribe to a humor website to be e-mailed a free daily or weekly humorous story, joke and anecdote. Sites such as www.netfunny.com/rhf/ or www.oraclehumor.com/ are two examples.
Are You Laughin’ At Me? One manager, known for his moodiness, acknowledged it with a “Mood-O-Meter” outside his door. Both he and his employees took turns forecasting his mood: from fire-breathing to variable clouds to periodic eruptions…proceed at your own risk. Don’t underestimate the power of self-effacing humor for making yourself more accessible and liked.
Room for Laughter. Some companies designate a room, work area or corner of their office as a romper room, where frolicking and silliness is allowed. Whether yours has a punching bag, games, a dartboard or foosball, it’s a room for letting off steam and taking a break from the grind.
Whine Not. Everyone loathes whiners yet we all need to blow off steam periodically. One group of creative trainers and their manager decreed Thursdays to be effective whining days. They self-policed themselves the rest of the week, making sure not to whine. Yet even their Thursday gripes had a departmental sanction and somehow seemed healthier. After all, they belly ached together. A ripple effect actually improved the morale of departments adjacent to theirs!
Meting Out Humor. Many professionals approach meetings with trepidation. A dash of humor can make a difference. For regular meetings earmark one or two minutes each meeting for a humorous interlude. In one workgroup a “humor hand” rotates from meeting to meeting. Employees take turns setting a lighter tone to the meeting, insuring everybody is engaged. An anecdote, verbal or physical activity focuses the group on the task at hand and brings colleagues together in a spirit of fun.
When not to use Humor. Not all humor is good humor. Humor that hurts, ostracizes or is cruel will have a detrimental effect on others and you. Strive for humor that is inclusive, creative and captures our human essence. By now you know that sexist, racist, ageist jokes and crude humor are not only inappropriate, but can lead to sanctions, termination or even lawsuits. Be sensitive when telling jokes involving terminations, reductions in force (RIFs) and personal tragedies. Their hurt can linger long after the fact. . When in doubt…leave it out!
Appropriate humor can make hard tasks easier, collaborations fun and certainly make workdays go faster. Laugh, and the work world laughs with you!
Craig Harrison
http://www.articlesbase.com/ethics-articles/laugh-and-the-work-world-laughs-with-you-74711.html
Laugh and the world laughs with you – Cry and you cry alone?
Trouble is…this seems to be true!
I’ve always been a strong independant person…..but I can’t be strong all the time!
I’ve always cried on my own – unless when in a supportive relationship – but even then THEY usually make me cry….and then if it doesn’t work out – more tears on my own!!!
But I’m fed up of crying on my own now – I hate it – I’ve done it all my life and now I actually want some support – preferably from someone who CARES
My daughter 23 is very sweet but no one seems to want to be around you when you are down
So – looks like I’ll have to cry alone again…..but I really do hate it now – its so much nicer to have a shoulder to cry on
I’m hoping my daughter will be there for me and that it will bring us even closer – after all I will be there for her if ever she needs a shoulder to cry on too
I’d like us to feel comfortable expressing our grief to each other
Do you think I’ll always have to cry alone?
Or do you think she will have compassion?
She will probably be there when you least expect it. I have a son close to her age and they seem to be pretty self absorbed often. However, just when I get tempted to throw up my hand and give up, he’ll show me his selfless side. Hopefully your daughter is similar.
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I think you need to find a good girl friend that will listen to you, and probly when your daughter gets a few years older she will be able to be more supportive, shes still very young.
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I agree with you in the way that you say that we do cry alone. I have been hurt so many times and well i always had to cry alone, until now, i have found a great friend who is always there no matter the hour or day. we laugh and cry together. I do not think that your daughter will leave you to cry alone, tell her that you will always be there for her is she needs it and well she will get the message and she will be there with you too. Look for a friend and believe me it helps when you stop crying alone.
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She will be their f you have gave her the love and support she need in life. Ask and you will be surprised to see how she will come running at the drop of a hat when you need her!
Remember what goes around comes around!
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I don’t think it’s your daughter you need to turn to. You have to heal your self. Try to be a stronger person. It’s your choice to be crying. Do something about.
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yes it is happening in this world as you cry alone. i can advise you to find a reliable friend who takes care of you and able to support mentally and without any reward.one of my close friend had undergone so much trauma in her life, i brought her back to normalcy.i can be thankful to God for i was able to motivate her live her life happily.it’s not that easy but God willing ,can be done.unexpected improvement i saw in her .she worships me as her Godfather.and keeps me in her top list of relatives.more than blood related brothers,sisters and uncles. she found me and without any hidden agenda between two sexes, our relationship goes.please pray for strength. do not cry pray and pray you will laugh and need not to cry in future. leaver your daughter in her way she is young and got to settle in life. all the best
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