Inspiring Workplaces: Humor for a Clearer Head

Published: Wed, 09/13/17

Humor at Work

ISSUE 695 - Sept. 13, 2017


			Humor for a Clearer Head

	It's time for another smoke-infused edition of random musings and ideas... Every server at the Piano Cafe in Port Ontario, Ontario wears a t-shirt reading Employee of the Month. Fabulous idea. Research led by Dr. Ashton Trice at Mary Baldwin College in Virginia found that when people tapped into their sense of humor and took time out for a good laugh, they were able to return to tasks with a much clearer head. Never discount the power of a five minute humor break. Research shows that transformational leaders use humor twice as often as their less-effective counterparts. The on-line shoe business Zappos provides hammocks near their call center areas. They encourage call center staff to take catnaps to ensure they are as alert and enthusiastic as possible on the phone. A study by the email-marketing platform Boomerang suggests the best response rate to an e-mail message comes from e-mails between 50-125 words. On a similar note, the sweet spot length for a voice mail message to get a call back is thought to be between 20-30 seconds. A survey of vice presidents and directors found that 84% felt that employees with a good sense of humor were more effective - executives viewed these employees as being more creative, less rigid, and more open to new ideas.

		Mike's Fun at Work Tip

Lazy-Eye Pablo here to remind you that September 19 is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. If you want to get your pirate alter-ego nickname to use for the day, cruise on over to our home page at Humor at Work and scroll to the bottom of the page to find our Pirate Name Generator! And if you have any text that needs translating into pirate-ese, hop over to Speak Pirate.
		Quote of the Week

“You can build a much more wonderful company on love than you can on fear.” Kip Tindell, former CEO, The Container Store
		It's a Wacky World

September 16 is official Guacamole Day, so here's some guacamole-related trivia for you: Mexico recently smashed the world record by creating a 3-ton batch of guacamole. It took 600 student chefs and 400 local townspeople to create the dip - but no word on how many nacho chips were consumed in the process. But wait! There's more guac news! The Ritz-Carlton in Dallas, Texas, has an official "guacamologist" on hand to help guests with any of their guacamole needs!

Cost-Savings to Bring Mike in to Speak
Kelowna or Penticton, B.C.: October 26 or 27
Toronto: October 9-11
Toronto: Nov. 3 or 6
Montreal: Nov. 23 or 25
New Zealand: Feb.15-20

Is Your Boss MIA?
Feeling all alone sometimes? Mike is quoted in the Forbes article, How to Thrive When the Boss is Never Around

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