From the course: Humor in the Workplace

Humor in the workplace

From the course: Humor in the Workplace

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Humor in the workplace

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- Humor is a language that people use to join and identify a common universe. They consciously and unconsciously make statements through humor about themselves, their relationships, their groups, and their fears, which they may find difficult to say otherwise. Humor in the workplace, or the lack thereof, functions like a thermostat, controlling the climate within an environment. It is a key component of the atmosphere that surrounds all who interact with each other within any setting. The workplace consists of sets of human relationships, and humor is one way the dynamics of the group are illuminated. Simply put, positive humor fosters a warm, inviting feeling. Negative, divisive humor makes a place and its people seem cold, cruel, or aloof. Absence of humor altogether indicates a systemic blockage of communication. On a basic level, humor is a cognitive skill that can be learned and enhanced through practice. This course examines how and why people in the workplace use humor to maintain physical, mental, and emotional balance, how humor boosts morale, facilitates communication, stimulates creativity, and helps manage stress. You'll learn some of the psychological and physiological science behind humor, and how it is the perfect antidote, not only to stress, but to standing up to life's blows, building relationships, and maintaining equilibrium. On the practical side, you'll learn tips, techniques, and practices, to help you expand your use of humor, personally and professionally, while being better able to assess what other people's true feelings are about a situation. Humor is subjective, emotional, and filled with ambiguity. Often times people will ask me, "Izzy, how do I make sure people get my jokes?" or, "How do I know what's appropriate and when?" Truth is, I can't give precise success formulas. I can, however, help explain the concepts behind how humor works, when it's used, and how to start thinking about the ways in which you can both use and receive humor today, as well as how you can expand your abilities with both.

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