Inspiring Workplaces: Smiling Your Way to Success

Published: Wed, 06/13/18

Humor at Work

ISSUE 731 - June 13, 2018


			Smiling Your Way to Success

	It's another high-octane, low-carb edition of random musings and ideas: Still have a boss who's skeptical about the value of humor? Here's yet one more finding to share with him or her: A recent meta-analysis of 49 different studies highlighted in the International Journal of Humor Research revealed that employees who have a positive sense of humor were linked to higher work performance, higher employee satisfaction, more team cohesion, better health, decreased burnout, and decreased stress at work. A study reported in the book, The Culture Code, reminds us of the power of small thank-yous at work. People who received a small thank-you note were twice as likely to do something generous for a completely different person as people who didn't receive a thank-you note. Chef Thomas Keller, who oversees several world-class restaurants, always thanks the dishwashers at his restaurant openings. What are you doing to acknowledge the often forgotten supporting cast in your business? To encourage more face-to-face conversations between employees try what some companies are doing and ban the use of email between employees (they still allow emails with customers) two or three days a week. It's official Smile Month, so remember to smile! Smiling is the facial expression we see the farthest away, smiling changes our body chemistry (in a good way), and triggers mirror neurons in people we smile at - prompting them to smile back at us! Restaurant servers who smile more often get bigger tips and people who smile frequently are rated as more likeable and attractive by their fellow humans. :)

		Mike's Fun at Work Tip

Hold a "Match the employee to the ________" contest in your workplace. Some of my clients have held "match the pet photo to their owner" contests, while others have gone a bit wackier with "match the employee to the foot photo" contests or "match the employee to the junior high photo" contests. Get creative and see if there is a way of linking your particular profession or business to the match up contest.
		Quote of the Week

“Culture is a set of living relationships working toward a shared goal. It’s not something you are. It’s something you do.” Daniel Coyle
		It's a Wacky World

Here are just a few of the more bizarre questions people have posted on Yahoo Answers: What is the phobia of chainsaws called? How do I successfully fool an elephant to go into the sea? What does the leaning tower of pizza taste like? If evolution is true why don't pigs have wings? Should my dog learn how to drive? Am I out of shape if a turtle can outrun me?

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