Inspiring Workplaces: There's Nothing Foolish About Having a Sense of Humor

Published: Wed, 04/01/20

Humor at Work

ISSUE 816 - Apr. 1, 2020


		There's Nothing Foolish About Having a Sense of Humor

	It's April Fool's Day today, but I'm going to suggest that perhaps it's wise to take a break from possibly fraying someone's nerves unnecessarily? (Pulling a virus-related practical joke in Thailand today could land you in jail for five years!) However, it doesn't mean we shouldn't use today as a reminder for the need to double down on our humor like never before! So here are some random humor-related thoughts and trivia... Laughter has been shown to jog your memory, so if you can't find your car keys just try laughing! And then you'll REALLY laugh when you find them in the salad crisper! Laughter works faster to relax our bodies that either Valium or Vodka. According to a study by the Hay Group, executives rated as outstanding share twice as much humor as executives rated as merely average. And who the heck wants to be average? 20-30 seconds of good hearty belly laughter gives you the same workout in terms of lost calories as 2-3 minutes on a rowing machine! Just hearing laughter activates neurons in the premotor cortex that helps prepare your face to smile, because, evidently, your face appreciates a little warning. Research suggests that couples who laugh a lot together are more likely to stay together, especially if they reminisce about shared moments of laughter. (Now is a GREAT time to put this into practice!) Studies suggest that people who have a positive sense of humor are rated by other people as being more intelligent, trustworthy, and attractive! According to research conducted by Dr. Richard Wiseman, people find jokes the funniest at 6:03 p.m.; animal jokes featuring ducks are the funniest; people find jokes funnier when it's sunny out; and words that include 'k' or hard 'g' sounds are funnier. Researchers have recently discovered that, contrary to popular belief, when a cow laughs, milk does not come out their nose.

		Mike's Fun at Work Tip

For those of you working from home and connecting virtually for the first time, here's a simple icebreaker to try for your next video meeting: Have everyone draw a self-portrait of themselves (perhaps that's redundant, what are you going to do - draw a self portrait of someone else?) and hold it up to your web cam to share with your colleagues. I guarantee you people will laugh! (Yes, even Bob.)
		Deep Thought of the Week

"Although I have nothing to do, I find that I have no time to do it." Vinny Verelli
		It's a Wacky World

I loved reading the story of a company's first Zoom video meeting last week where someone's barking dog set off EVERYONE'S dog to the point that all they could hear was a chorus of howling and barking dogs, generating tears of laughter. As the employee who reported the story said, "BEST MEETING EVER!"

Leading and Laughing During Turbulent Times I'll be presenting the Leading and Laughing During These Turbulent Times webinar again in a few hours! Wednesday, April 1 at 11:00 a.m. MST/1:00 pm EST. Again, I'm waiving my usual fee. Register here: Laughing and Leading During Turbulent Times

Pay What You Can Customized Webinars I know many of you are deeply struggling right now so here's an offer for you: If I can deliver a webinar for your team that you feel would be of benefit right now, I'm offering a "pay-whatever-you-can" option. For details pop over to Workplace Culture Webinars

The Culture Leadership Academy I'm pleased to see that many of you taking advantage of the 50% early bird enrollment rate, which due to the current circumstances we've extended through the summer.

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