By Tom Borg
Have you ever noticed how laughter can make for a more productive and healthy business or organization? It seems that when people are able to laugh with each other, they are happier, and more motivated to do the things necessary to make their establishment a better work place. Customers are served more completely, and in turn, are more satisfied with the company or organization. A positive upbeat atmosphere that greets the customers or clients each time they call or visit, positively affects their mood as well. Generally speaking, people like doing business with others who like themselves and like their place of work.
When laughter goes out of a company, it becomes a place where people abhor coming to work, and the organization starts to die a little bit. If you run a small business and are looking to hire employees for jobs, make it a point to pay attention to this area. It is true that the tone of the company is set at the top and trickles down to the members within that organization. If you are a business owner or manager, it is up to you to set the pace for your employees and your customers.
If you are an employee, it is important to bring a sense of healthy humor and laughter to work. One of the number one reasons people work for a company is they like the other people with whom they work.
Whether you are an owner, manager or an employee, here are four ways to use laughter to improve the work environment in your organization. First, set the example; look for opportunities where healthy humor can be used. Many times it is poking fun right at yourself. It could be something you said or did. It could pertain to a particular situation you found yourself in, or how you handled it.
Next, don’t inappropriately poke fun at others that put them down, make fun of their religion, or their physical looks. No one likes to be the butt of a joke, because it can cause them to feel embarrassed or self-conscious.
Mike Brown suggests, “Signal a laughing opportunity through your words, actions, and tone. It’s also a good practice to give people “permission” to laugh in the workplace.” Many times you have to give others permission to have a little fun on the job. Some leaders believe you should simply put your head down and work all day long. No casual conversation or laughter is allowed in their organizations. This is a mistake. When people cannot indulge in some light kibitzing and joking, it makes for an environment that can be extremely depressing. Most people will not want to work in this kind of environment for long.
Finally, use humor to diffuse tension. Done appropriately, it can communicate to others that there is life after a work crisis, and that this wasn’t the first problem, and certainly won’t be the last. Life goes and so will the company.
Tom Borg of Tom Borg Consulting, LLC. located in Canton, MI. works with small business to help their clients profitably attract and keep their clients and customers. You can contact him email him at tomborg@tomborgconsulting.com visit his website at www.TomBorgConsulting.com or call him at 734-404-5909.