When I was starting my career, it was frowned upon to laugh at work. Work was a serious business! And it still is, but it can be too serious. 

According to a 2007 study performed by University of Missouri-Columbia researcher Chris Robert, humor “has meaningful impact on cohesiveness in the workplace and communication quality among workers. 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.”

There are many such studies that have been conducted that prove how positive humor can be in the workplace. Not long into my career I worked for a guy named Ben who taught me why it’s important to laugh at work. He was the Sales Manager and his brand of humor endeared him to clients and colleagues alike. People wanted to be around him. It engendered a team spirit and customers loved having him around.

As I worked more closely with him, I realized the power of laughter and the ways in which it could motivate, defuse tension and engender trust and respect with people at work. But I also realized that it was rare to have this open and humorous approach.

So if you feel there’s not enough laughter where you work, here’s a few suggestions:

1. Set the Tone – Laugh At Yourself

We all make mistakes. We are not perfect. Make light of it and share the humorous side of the mistake. This demonstrates we don’t take ourselves too seriously and we understand mistakes happen.

2. Start Meetings With a Joke

Take turns for someone to tell a joke at each meeting and rate it! Keep a scorecard! Have an award for the best or worst joke (or both).

3. Start Meetings with One Word Describers

At the next weekly meeting, ask employees to use one word to describe his or her day.

4. Hold Silly Events

We held a Ryder Cup office golf event at one of the places I worked at. Everyone was involved as we set up a golf course around the office, including putting, (no pun intended) holes in peoples offices. Scorecards were issued and scores recorded and awards ceremony to recognize the overall team price and individuals. Amazing how inventive people were in playing a ball off objects or walls.

5. Surround Yourself with Reminders to Lighten Up 

Keep a toy on your desk and put up a funny poster in your office. Choose a computer screensaver that makes you laugh. Display photos of you and your family or friends having fun.

6. Look for the Humor in Things

When things are getting heavy, break the ice. Look for the amusing, funny, or interesting parts of your day for a much-needed laugh that will help you lighten your load.

7. Hold a Series of Events Called “Laughter Lunch” 

You can watch clips from a funny television shows (like “The Office) or a movie.

Humor can help in so many ways at work. We just need to take ourselves less seriously and look for ways to make light of things when we do. As Alan Rickman said “ I do take my work seriously and the way to do that is not to take yourself too seriously.”

As a famous proverb said; “If you are too busy to laugh, you are too busy.” 

Of course we can’t turn the hallowed business corridors into Comedy Central but we should always allow some room for humor. Do me a favor and smile right now. Feels good doesn’t it! Now laugh!

How do you bring humor to work?