keeping your sense of humor when things aren’t so funny

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Keeping Your Sense Keeping Your Sense of Humor When Things of Humor When Things Aren’t So Funny Aren’t So Funny Michelle Mossey and Kristi Michelle Mossey and Kristi Key Key Associate Directors of Associate Directors of Admissions Admissions Bluegrass Community and Bluegrass Community and Technical College Technical College

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Keeping Your Sense of Humor When Things Aren’t So Funny. Michelle Mossey and Kristi Key Associate Directors of Admissions Bluegrass Community and Technical College. To Laugh or Not To Laugh?. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: Keeping Your Sense of Humor When Things Aren’t So Funny

Keeping Your Sense Keeping Your Sense of Humor When of Humor When Things Aren’t So Things Aren’t So FunnyFunnyMichelle Mossey and Kristi KeyMichelle Mossey and Kristi Key

Associate Directors of AdmissionsAssociate Directors of Admissions

Bluegrass Community and Technical Bluegrass Community and Technical CollegeCollege

Page 2: Keeping Your Sense of Humor When Things Aren’t So Funny

To Laugh or Not To To Laugh or Not To Laugh?Laugh?

From:From: Jones, Sarah (Bluegrass) Jones, Sarah (Bluegrass) Sent:Sent: Thursday, April 7, 2005 8:59 AM Thursday, April 7, 2005 8:59 AMTo:To: Smith, Joe (Bluegrass) Smith, Joe (Bluegrass)Subject:Subject: PowerPoint Presentation PowerPoint Presentation

I can’t believe you didn’t get my email! You sorry sack! I can’t believe you didn’t get my email! You sorry sack! Don’t you ever do any work? Here is the attachment Don’t you ever do any work? Here is the attachment again. Let me know if you cannot open it.again. Let me know if you cannot open it.

(This is a copy of an email that was sent to the wrong (This is a copy of an email that was sent to the wrong Joe!)Joe!)

Page 3: Keeping Your Sense of Humor When Things Aren’t So Funny

Humor: Where did it Humor: Where did it come from?come from?

“ “Positism” is a term I coined that refers to Positism” is a term I coined that refers to looking at life through optimistic lenses, seeing looking at life through optimistic lenses, seeing the silver lining and squirting back when life the silver lining and squirting back when life gives you lemons. Humor comes from the root gives you lemons. Humor comes from the root word “umor”, which means to be fluid or word “umor”, which means to be fluid or flexible. Both a positive attitude and the ability flexible. Both a positive attitude and the ability to be flexible are important in times of change.to be flexible are important in times of change.

- Sandra Jones Campbell, - Sandra Jones Campbell, Workplace Workplace Humor is NOT an Oxymoron Humor is NOT an Oxymoron & & How to Create a Positive How to Create a Positive WorkplaceWorkplace

Page 4: Keeping Your Sense of Humor When Things Aren’t So Funny

Did you know…Did you know…

The average preschooler laughs or smiles 400 The average preschooler laughs or smiles 400 times day, while that number drops to 15 times times day, while that number drops to 15 times a day by the time people reach 35.a day by the time people reach 35.

People smile only 35 percent as much as they People smile only 35 percent as much as they thinkthink they do. they do.

In a Robert Half International poll of 1000 In a Robert Half International poll of 1000 executives, 84% said that workers with a sense executives, 84% said that workers with a sense of humor do a better job.of humor do a better job.

Page 5: Keeping Your Sense of Humor When Things Aren’t So Funny

Workplace Humor Is NOT Workplace Humor Is NOT an Oxymoronan Oxymoron

Health Benefits of HumorHealth Benefits of Humor Laughter releases endorphins which are Laughter releases endorphins which are

chemicals that are 10 times more powerful chemicals that are 10 times more powerful than the pain reliving drug morphine.than the pain reliving drug morphine.

Every time you laugh you burn 3.5 calories.Every time you laugh you burn 3.5 calories. Laughing increases oxygen intake, thereby Laughing increases oxygen intake, thereby

replenishing and invigorating cells.replenishing and invigorating cells. Relives tension, lifts your mood and boosts Relives tension, lifts your mood and boosts

your immune system.your immune system.

Page 6: Keeping Your Sense of Humor When Things Aren’t So Funny

Workplace Humor Is NOT Workplace Humor Is NOT an Oxymoronan Oxymoron

Humor benefits the workplace -Humor benefits the workplace -

A little comic relief helps build camaraderie! A little comic relief helps build camaraderie!

Page 7: Keeping Your Sense of Humor When Things Aren’t So Funny

Is it me? Or was that not Is it me? Or was that not funny?funny?

Using humor in the workplace does not Using humor in the workplace does not mean becoming the Jay Leno of your mean becoming the Jay Leno of your company!company!

When your boss asks you if you have a When your boss asks you if you have a sense of humor, she’s not asking if you sense of humor, she’s not asking if you are a clown! are a clown!

Page 8: Keeping Your Sense of Humor When Things Aren’t So Funny

Sarcasm – should I or Sarcasm – should I or shouldn’t I?shouldn’t I?

It may be funny but it may leave people It may be funny but it may leave people with a bitter or negative impression!with a bitter or negative impression!

This is a hard one for many people to This is a hard one for many people to avoid, but if you can be funny without avoid, but if you can be funny without being overly dependent on negativity, being overly dependent on negativity, your professional image will be much your professional image will be much higher.higher.

Page 9: Keeping Your Sense of Humor When Things Aren’t So Funny

If I can’t make fun of If I can’t make fun of myself, who can I make fun myself, who can I make fun of?of?

When we make fun of ourselves, it When we make fun of ourselves, it demonstrates a healthy outlook, demonstrates a healthy outlook, showing that we don’t take ourselves showing that we don’t take ourselves too seriously. As a result we are seen too seriously. As a result we are seen as more approachable and easygoing.as more approachable and easygoing.

- Craig Harrison, - Craig Harrison, Coaching Tip: Coaching Tip: Jest Practices: Jest Practices: Best Practices for Best Practices for Humor in the WorkplaceHumor in the Workplace

Page 10: Keeping Your Sense of Humor When Things Aren’t So Funny

If I can’t make fun of If I can’t make fun of myself, who can I make fun myself, who can I make fun of?of?

Self-depreciation is an excellent tool, but Self-depreciation is an excellent tool, but be careful to use it in moderation, be careful to use it in moderation, especially when you are around authority especially when you are around authority figures or people who don’t know you.figures or people who don’t know you.

This could backfire if you are always This could backfire if you are always cracking jokes – people may not ever cracking jokes – people may not ever take you seriously.take you seriously.

Page 11: Keeping Your Sense of Humor When Things Aren’t So Funny

A Sense of Humor in the A Sense of Humor in the WorkplaceWorkplace

Realize when humor is appropriate and Realize when humor is appropriate and when it is not appropriate.when it is not appropriate.

A manager sang a few bars of “Laugh A manager sang a few bars of “Laugh While the Whole World is Crying” as he While the Whole World is Crying” as he was laying off his employees. His was laying off his employees. His attempt to lighten the mood fell flat and attempt to lighten the mood fell flat and was perceived as cold and callous.was perceived as cold and callous.

Page 12: Keeping Your Sense of Humor When Things Aren’t So Funny

A Sense of Humor in the A Sense of Humor in the WorkplaceWorkplace

““Having a sense of humor has more to do with Having a sense of humor has more to do with being able to see that there are funny being able to see that there are funny situations all around us and feeling secure situations all around us and feeling secure enough to laugh at them than it does with enough to laugh at them than it does with entertaining others.”entertaining others.”

-Randy Erickson, -Randy Erickson, Humor in the Humor in the WorkplaceWorkplace

““Sometimes people confuse the notion of a Sometimes people confuse the notion of a sense of humor with the ability to tell a joke. sense of humor with the ability to tell a joke. We’re all humor participants.”We’re all humor participants.”

-Dr. Stu Robertshaw, University of -Dr. Stu Robertshaw, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse professorWisconsin-La Crosse professor

Page 13: Keeping Your Sense of Humor When Things Aren’t So Funny

So When So When CanCan I Use I Use Humor in the Workplace?Humor in the Workplace?

Know your audience and make sure that your Know your audience and make sure that your comment/joke won’t be seen as offensive.comment/joke won’t be seen as offensive.

Do not laugh or joke at the expense of another Do not laugh or joke at the expense of another person.person.

The most common mistake is that we make the The most common mistake is that we make the assumption that everyone is like we are.assumption that everyone is like we are.

The truth is that other people may not have The truth is that other people may not have your sense of humor!your sense of humor!

Pay attention to your coworkers mood. If used Pay attention to your coworkers mood. If used at the wrong time, it can backfire and offend, at the wrong time, it can backfire and offend, distract or upset someone.distract or upset someone.

Page 14: Keeping Your Sense of Humor When Things Aren’t So Funny

WARNING!!!WARNING!!!

““The inability to laugh may be a sign of The inability to laugh may be a sign of impending burnout. When it is no longer impending burnout. When it is no longer possible to find humor in anything, it may possible to find humor in anything, it may be that the employee is in the throes of be that the employee is in the throes of burnout.”burnout.”

- Mary Rau-Foster, - Mary Rau-Foster, Humor and Fun Humor and Fun in in the Workplacethe Workplace

Page 15: Keeping Your Sense of Humor When Things Aren’t So Funny

Some Helpful Humor Some Helpful Humor GuidelinesGuidelines

Humor breaks up boredom and fatigue.Humor breaks up boredom and fatigue. Toyota Motor Manufacturing plant in Toyota Motor Manufacturing plant in

Georgetown, KY has pool tables and ping Georgetown, KY has pool tables and ping pong tables set up on the manufacturing pong tables set up on the manufacturing floor.floor.

Humor fulfills human social needs.Humor fulfills human social needs. Laughter indicates cooperation, anger Laughter indicates cooperation, anger

typifies opposition. If you can laugh with typifies opposition. If you can laugh with people, you can work with them.people, you can work with them.

Page 16: Keeping Your Sense of Humor When Things Aren’t So Funny

Some Helpful Humor Some Helpful Humor GuidelinesGuidelines

Humor increases creativity and willingness to Humor increases creativity and willingness to help.help. Happy employees can improve customer/student Happy employees can improve customer/student

satisfaction because we like doing business with satisfaction because we like doing business with those who have a high “likeability factor”. those who have a high “likeability factor”.

Humor fulfills the need for mastery or control.Humor fulfills the need for mastery or control. Managers or supervisors can be also be seen as Managers or supervisors can be also be seen as

team players, who can relax and enjoy life and team players, who can relax and enjoy life and others as well.others as well.

Page 17: Keeping Your Sense of Humor When Things Aren’t So Funny

Some Helpful Humor Some Helpful Humor GuidelinesGuidelines

Humor improves communication.Humor improves communication. Advertisers are aware of the values of Advertisers are aware of the values of

humor and spend a lot of money each year humor and spend a lot of money each year to make funny commercials for radio and to make funny commercials for radio and television. television.

Humor breaks up conflict and tension.Humor breaks up conflict and tension. Can effectively reduce the level and intensity Can effectively reduce the level and intensity

of conflict among employees.of conflict among employees.

Page 18: Keeping Your Sense of Humor When Things Aren’t So Funny

What about when things What about when things aren’t so funny?aren’t so funny?

Does this sound familiar?Does this sound familiar?

What do you do then?What do you do then?

Page 19: Keeping Your Sense of Humor When Things Aren’t So Funny

What about when things What about when things aren’t so funny?aren’t so funny?

How does humor fit into these situations?How does humor fit into these situations?

How can we keep our spirits up at times How can we keep our spirits up at times when we want to scream?when we want to scream?

Or maybe the real question is Or maybe the real question is cancan we we really keep our sense of humor in times really keep our sense of humor in times like these?like these?

Page 20: Keeping Your Sense of Humor When Things Aren’t So Funny

Tips For Keeping It FunnyTips For Keeping It Funny

Keep a childhood toy or photo of you or Keep a childhood toy or photo of you or your children as a reminder to keep the your children as a reminder to keep the child in you at work.child in you at work.

Keep a stress ball in your desk – this is Keep a stress ball in your desk – this is especially handy when you’re on long especially handy when you’re on long phones calls.phones calls.

Use a daily joke or positive calendar Use a daily joke or positive calendar instead of a plain one and READ IT!instead of a plain one and READ IT!

Page 21: Keeping Your Sense of Humor When Things Aren’t So Funny

Tips For Keeping It FunnyTips For Keeping It Funny

Have a joy jar on your desk and fill it with Have a joy jar on your desk and fill it with positive, success-oriented saying, positive, success-oriented saying, appropriate jokes and candy.appropriate jokes and candy.

Use a nerf bat and ball to work out Use a nerf bat and ball to work out frustrations.frustrations.

Name the office equipment and talk to it.Name the office equipment and talk to it. Have small jars of bubbles in your office Have small jars of bubbles in your office

and allow everyone to blow bubbles.and allow everyone to blow bubbles.

Page 22: Keeping Your Sense of Humor When Things Aren’t So Funny

But seriously…But seriously…

Vent your frustrations with someone whom Vent your frustrations with someone whom you trust.you trust.

Try not to take things personally. Somebody Try not to take things personally. Somebody may just be having a bad day. may just be having a bad day.

Get out of your office – take a short walk, Get out of your office – take a short walk, grab a snack, step away for a break to relax grab a snack, step away for a break to relax and remember that this too shall pass! and remember that this too shall pass!

Page 23: Keeping Your Sense of Humor When Things Aren’t So Funny

The Bottom Line on The Bottom Line on HumorHumor

““We don’t need less humor at work; we just We don’t need less humor at work; we just need to make sure it’s the kind of humor that need to make sure it’s the kind of humor that makes hard tasks easier, collaborations fun makes hard tasks easier, collaborations fun and certainly make workdays go faster. Use and certainly make workdays go faster. Use humor more effectively, and the world still humor more effectively, and the world still laughs with you.”laughs with you.”

- Dr. Joni Johnston, - Dr. Joni Johnston, Lessons From Lessons From the Humor Police: How to evaluate the Humor Police: How to evaluate workplace humorworkplace humor

Page 24: Keeping Your Sense of Humor When Things Aren’t So Funny

ReferencesReferences Campbell, Sandra Jones (2000), Campbell, Sandra Jones (2000), Workplace Humor is Workplace Humor is

NOT an Oxymoron or How to Create a Positive NOT an Oxymoron or How to Create a Positive WorkplaceWorkplace

Erickson, Randy (1995), Erickson, Randy (1995), Humor in the WorkplaceHumor in the Workplace Gliner, Art (2001), Gliner, Art (2001), Humor in the Workplace 2001Humor in the Workplace 2001 Harrison, Craig (Nov. 2006), Harrison, Craig (Nov. 2006), Coaching Tip: Jest Coaching Tip: Jest

Practices: Best Practices for Humor in the WorkplacePractices: Best Practices for Humor in the Workplace Johnston, Dr. Joni (2000), Johnston, Dr. Joni (2000), Lessons From the Humor Lessons From the Humor

Police: How to evaluate workplace humorPolice: How to evaluate workplace humor Rau-Foster, Mary (June/July 2000), Rau-Foster, Mary (June/July 2000), Humor and Fun in Humor and Fun in

the Workplacethe Workplace Toupin, Edward B. (1999), Toupin, Edward B. (1999), A Sense of Humor in the A Sense of Humor in the

Workplace: Is It me? Or, was that not funny?Workplace: Is It me? Or, was that not funny?