Jokes In The Office?

Some people believe joking at the work place is no good. The office is a working place, not a playground. But Chris Robert, the Assistant Professor of Management at the University of Missouri-Columbia’s Robert J. Trulaske Sr. College of Business whose findings have been published as a chapter in an edition of the journal in Personnel and Human Resources Management, disagreed. He said joking around on the job can actually have a positive effect on productivity and employee retention.

Personally, I don’t enjoy working with people that wear a serious face. When you try to make a small joke, they simply do not get amused. Rather, you may get that look that makes you guilty of what you had just said. If you have a superior like that in a work place, I bet you do not enjoy spending time more than it should be. However, if a work place consists of managers that encourage light humor and fun poking of one another, the whole atmosphere can change dramatically. And I bet people do not mind hanging around in the office a while longer.

Does humor has an impact on the work productivity?

Chris Robert has this to say,

Humor isn’t incompatible with goals of the workplace. It’s not incompatible with the organization’s desire to be competitive. In fact, we argue that humor is pretty important. It’s not just clowning around and having fun; it has meaningful impact on cohesiveness in the workplace and communication quality among workers. The ability to appreciate humor, the ability to laugh and make other people laugh actually has physiological effects on the body that cause people to become more bonded.”

I have to agree on what he said. From experience, we connect better with people that do not take themselves too seriously and that usually has a positive effect on the emotions that result in improved performance. 

However, not all humor is good. Anything that is sexist, racist, ageist and crude are not only unsuitable in a work place environment, it may lead to sexual harassment charges, lawsuits or termination. So, joke all you can but watch your boundaries.

Sometimes the best humor is not on poking fun of your peers but you can lighten up the whole place by sharing a funny story, picture or a saying that you heard or seen.

So since a few LOL moments will do us some good, please feel free to share your one-liner/jokes with us. :) Thank you :)

The Need To Be Understood

Have you heard of the Indian Talking Stick story? I picked it up in Dr Tim Elmore’s book, Habitutes.

It’s about two tribes in disagreement. A council assembly was called in which the two chiefs were facing each other in a circle. Several moments of silence…then, in a burst of emotion, the group erupts with angry shouts and accusations. No one is listening…until the visiting chief steps forward and raises the Talking Stick.

The Talking Stick is passed around from person to person, but the only one holding it is allowed to speak. It remains in the speaker’s possession until he/she feels completely understood by everyone in the group. The only exception is when the speaker might lend it to someone who is seeking to clarify their point. Once the point is clarified, the stick returns to the speaker until they believe they are fully understood. Only then is it passed to the next individual.

It’s a simple concept but the end result is amazing. As the tribal members pass the stick around, they slowly become less combative and more cohesive. Relationships are restored. All because the focus is on understanding, not just being understood.

Without question, the greatest emotional need of people today is the need to be understood.

In any relationship especially when two or more people are working together, conflicts usually occur because of this.

You don’t understand what I’m saying

Eh, this is not what I meant

You didn’t get it. You misunderstood me. You’re not listening

Sounds familiar? Listening takes effort and patience. Some even said it’s a skill. It’s not hearing for dogs hear too. No wonder, it’s tough.

In fact, listening involves every senses. Have you heard, “The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said.” (Read more here)

Looks like a stick has just found itself another purpose..:)