“A sense of humor is a part of the art of leadership, of getting along with people, of getting things done.”
These are the words of Dwight D. Eisenhower. Brilliant leader. Great man. He sure knows what he’s talking about when it comes to leading people. And when he framed humor this way, it should make you stop and think about why it’s such an important aspect of leadership and working with people.
Humor is a key element to success in one’s work. Whether you’re selling homes for fast cash or crunching numbers behind a desk, there’s something about well-timed tasteful humor that makes the workplace more exciting and brimming with energy.
Let’s take a look at some benefits of humor at work.
7 Ways Humor Can Help Make Your Business More Successful
1. It makes the workplace more enjoyable.
We all spend about 8 hours at work at least 5 times a week. That’s a minimum of 40 hours at work. Now imagine spending 40 hours a week in a dull and boring environment devoid of laughter and humor? Instead of getting excited about going to work, you dread it. Every. Single. Day.
2. It helps people get over stressful situations.
Humor and laughter are proven by lots of studies and research to help people cope with stress and anxiety. It lets you view your stressors in a different way that allows you to emotionally respond to it differently — with laughter, which is known to make a person feel more relaxed.
3. It humanizes the workplace.
Humor allows both management and workforce to come together and bond on a level playing field, devoid of hierarchy and seniority.
4. It is great for putting people at ease.
According to research, humor is a very effective tool for breaking the ice at the workplace. It’s also a great way to break the tension after unavoidable conflicts at work. It helps open people’s minds to look at things from a different perspective instead of just holding on to one idea.
5. It enhances creativity.
Humor has a funny way (pun definitely intended) of sparking one’s creativity. Sometimes, being ridiculous helps one look at things from a totally different perspective which you wouldn’t normally consider. Taking a look at things in a different and novel way allows you to make certain connections you never saw before.
6. It builds trust.
They say that those who have a good sense of humor and know how to use it, especially at critical times, are far more approachable. People can’t help but be attracted to them. Their natural charm and wit make it easy for others to trust them and feel comfortable around them.
7. It helps increase productivity in the workplace.
Where humor is present, people’s morale is boosted and their energy is amplified exponentially. This behavioral reaction to humor increases the workplace’s productivity significantly compared to a workforce that is uptight and takes themselves way too seriously.
The bottom line is a workplace with a jovial and fun atmosphere that encourages creativity and fun leads to better interpersonal interactions within the workplace. This type of atmosphere renews your mindset and lets you work not out of obligation but out of passion.
