A Dash of Humor Ups Performance and Creativity at Work

When you hear a funny story or quick-witted line as you launch another day at work, what happens? Perhaps a belly laugh, good feelings about colleagues, a positive spirit or relief from a toxic work environment. Here're three bonuses humor brings...

1. Creates more camaraderie in teams and departments... "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," Chris Robert of MU' College of Business, finds.

2. Stirs your creativity... A dose of humor releases a flow of serotonin in your brain. Serotonin helps you to find well-being... to think clearly, solve problems more objectively, step beyond rigid thinking, change your point of view...

3. Improves performance... humor brings relaxation and an upbeat mindset which enables you to get past workplace toxins that stall you in the trenches. Recent research shows a strong link between positive emotions humor brings and optimal performance outcomes.

Ellen Weber explains how humor makes a difference for you and folks working near you...

Humor’s good for business because it releases enzymes into the brain and opens new spaces for learning, giving and for enjoying what you do. It’s also good for expansion … because people gravitate to humorous people, and research shows they like to do business with people who can laugh at themselves.

Laughter works best when it's light and witty. For instance, laugh at yourself to relax a room, make a play on words, tell a funny anecdote.

Recommended links that show how to use humor to increase creativity and productivity at your work:

Frank Roche at Know HR: Humor and the Work Team: Healing, Harmonizing, and Harnessing Morale, Cooperation, and Productivity

Drew McLellan at Drew's Marketing Minute: M&M capitalizes on a myth

Ellen Weber at Brain Based Business - 10 Tips for a Belly Laugh at Work

Workplace Office Buzz: Workplace Humor - Uniting and Dividing

Barbara Rozgonyi at Wired PR Works: Funny Business PR Why Don’t Companies Use Cartoons in Their Marketing?

Brad Shorr at Word Sell: Funny Companies with Serious Performance

GL Hoffman at What Would Dad Say: Your Resume Headline Should Get My Attention, First.

Here're a couple of quotes for your thoughts...

I haven't got the slightest idea how to change people, but I keep a long list of prospective candidates just in case I should ever figure it out. David Sedaris

Tell me what you laugh at, and I'll tell you who you are. Marcel Pagnol

Try humor... what difference has it made for you?