series

Humor That Works Video-ettes

By on March 9, 2009 in How-To Humor

Improv exercises are great at building your confidence, enhancing your creativity, relieving stress, and are loads of fun.  The problem is that most exercises require at least 2 people to do (which is part of what makes them such great team-building ideas).

However, there are some exercises that you can do on your own that can help with specific skills in the workplace.  I’ve put together a series of videos of different solo exercises you can do.

Here’s the introductory video of improv exercises that work:

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Starting With Humor Series

By on January 12, 2009 in Humor Benefits

New to the concept of humor in the workplace? Still not sold on the value of office humor? Here’s what you need to know about humor and how it can revolutionize your office.  If you haven’t already, you may to start with What is Humor?

  1. The Health Benefits of Humor
  2. Building Teams and Relationships with Humor
  3. Why Leaders Use Humor
  4. Have Fun at Work to Increase Workplace Satisfaction
  5. The Power of Humor

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Have Fun at Work to Increase Workplace Satisfaction

By on January 8, 2009 in Humor Benefits

Note: This is part 4 of a 5 part series detailing why it’s important to have humor in the workplace.  This post discusses the obvious reason to incorporate corporate humor – fun.

There are 168 hours in a week, 52 weeks in a year, and usually at least 35 years in a normal person’s working life.  Given that most people work “40 hours” (that’s on the low end if we’re lucky), that means we spend nearly 25% of our adult lives (40 hours a week, 2080 hours a year, and 72,800 hours in our lifetime) at work.  You subtract a modest 6 hours of sleep per night (if we’re lucky), and it turns out that roughly 40% of our waking hours are spent with our jobs.

Aristotle said “You are what you repeatedly do.”  Well if you repeatedly come to work (40% of the time you’re awake), then that means you are an employee.  But if you were to describe yourself, would “employee” or “worker” be at the top of your list?  I doubt it.  Most of us would say “parent”, “friend”, “daughter”, or perhaps “comedian.”  But “worker” or “employee” – not for me.

Now some of you might be thinking, “But Drew, I work to live, not live to work.  I describe myself based on what I do in the other 60% of my waking hours.”  I would agree and applaud you on your astute observation.  But you can’t just ignore the other 40%.  You can’t ignore 72,800 hours of your life.

My point is this: given the amount of time we spend at work, why can’t it be enjoyable, exciting, (gasp) FUN?  Sure there are times at work that fun accidentally happens.  Every now and then a director messes up a cliche and it’s funny, or someone sends out an “interesting” email to an entire email conference that provides some laughs, but why can’t fun be apart of everyday life, something we intentionally bring to the table?

You can.  Not only is humor in the workplace fun, but it can lead to better health, improve relationships, and enhance leadership skills.  At a fundamental level, more workplace fun = more workplace satisfaction.  I’m sure even your boss would approve of something that has all of those benefits.

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Why Leaders Use Humor

By on January 7, 2009 in Humor Benefits

Note: This is part 3 of a 5 part series detailing why it’s important to have humor in the workplace.  This post explores the use of humor to enhance leadership skills.

Eisenhower once said, “A sense of humor is part of the art of leadership, of getting along with people, of getting things done.”  If you’re not familiar with US President ,Eisenhower, a quick trip to Wikipedia will help you understand that he might know a thing or two about leadership.

Now I can’t be sure what part of leadership Dwight David included humor in, but I think it may have been related to other people’s perception.  When you can use humor to diffuse difficult or tense situations, you are perceived as being “on top of things” or in control (whether you are or not).  Think about it, who are you more likely to follow?  Someone who is stressed out and frazzled by a recent string of events?  Or someone calm and controlled, and able to apply humor to relieve tension before getting back to business?

In addition to this improved perception, use of humor can also improve your ability to influence.  People are naturally more inclined to read and listen to what you have to say if you consistently use humor.

Of course you, being the intelligent person you are, are starting to realize that all of this leads to better leading.  But for those of you still not convinced, consider the results of some corporate studies published in the Harvard Business Review:

  • A survey of 1,000 executives discovered that 84% of respondents felt that workers with a sense of humor do a better job.
  • A survey of 700+ CEOs showed that 98% of them preferred job candidates with a sense of humor.
  • A study of 20 executives at one company showed that executives ranked as “Outstanding” vs. “Average” used humor 133% more than their average counterparts.  Reviewing compensation for the same group showed the size of their bonuses was positively correlated to their use of humor.

You might say that not only does money talk, it also laughs.

So as you prepare to give that recommendation, make that influential presentation, or have that conversation with, well, anyone, remember to keep humor top of mind.  You may find yourself leading the way to better leadership.

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Health Benefits of Humor

January 5, 2009

Note: This is part 1 of a 5 part series detailing why it’s important to have humor in the workplace.  This post covers the physical health benefits, which ultimately lead to healthier employees, lower health care costs, and greater work/life satisfaction. There’s a cliche that says “Laughter is the Best Medicine,” but if you’ve ever [...]

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