HUMOR: HUMOR In the Workplace and Everywhere Else!!!


Slide2: A SMILE IS THE SHORTEST DISTANCE BETWEEN TWO PEOPLE ……VICTOR BORGE


WHAT PARTICIPANT’S WILL LEARN: WHAT PARTICIPANT’S WILL LEARN What is humor/laughter How to use humor effectively To point out the benefits and hazards of the use of humor How humor can open doors How humor can make you be more productive Humor’s Bottom Line


LAUGHTER IS THE JEST MEDICINE: LAUGHTER IS THE JEST MEDICINE Enhances respiration Enhances circulation Oxygenates the blood Suppresses stress related hormones in the brain Activates the immune system Source: www.humorproject.com


WHAT IS HUMOR ….: WHAT IS HUMOR …. It be defined as that which makes us laugh, smile, or amuses us. Source:Making Humor Work, Terry L. Paulson, Ph.D.,1989


DID YOU KNOW THAT….: DID YOU KNOW THAT…. The average pre-schooler laughs or smiles 400 times a day and that number drops to 15 times a day by age 35 People smile only 35% as much as they think they do Laughter releases endorphins a chemical more powerful than morphine Every time you laugh you burn 3.5 calories Source: www.workplaceissues.com/arhumor.htm


NOT ALL HUMOR WORKS: NOT ALL HUMOR WORKS Sarcastic Humor Ethnic Humor Laughing at Others Source:Making Humor Work, Terry L. Paulson, Ph.D.,1989


SIX REASONS THAT FUN CAN IMPROVE WORK QUALITY AND MENTAL HEALTH: SIX REASONS THAT FUN CAN IMPROVE WORK QUALITY AND MENTAL HEALTH Breaks up boredom and fatigue Fulfills human social needs It increases creativity and willingness to help Fun fulfills the need for mastery and control Fun improves communication Fun breaks up conflict and tension Source: www.workplaceissues.com/arhumor.htm


WHAT DO YOU SEE: WHAT DO YOU SEE


ABOUT FACE: ABOUT FACE


Humor in the workplace will help when: Humor in the workplace will help when You are placed in a no-win situation; or in the presence of unpredictable or uncontrollable stressors Life is too short to work in an unpleasant environment SOURCE: http://humanresources.about.com


HUMOR HOW TO’S: HUMOR HOW TO’S Put humor into the physical environment Use humor as a tool rather than as a weapon Build humor into the corporate culture Source: www.humorproject.com


HUMOR: HUMOR DISCOVER YOUR PASSION HAVE A GOOD ATTITUDE SHOW PEOPLE YOU CARE Source: Fun is Good, TrainingABC Video,2004


DISCOVER YOUR PASSION: DISCOVER YOUR PASSION PASSION STARTS IN YOUR HEART WHAT EXCITES YOU WHY ARE YOU HERE WORKING AT THIS PARTICULAR JOB Source: Fun is Good, TrainingABC Video, 2004


ATTITUDE: ATTITUDE ATTITUDE IS 90% OF LIFE DON’T TAKE YOURSELF TO SERIOUSLY LAUGHTER IS A STRENGTH IN THE WORKPLACE Source: Fun is Good, Training ABC Video, 2004


SHOW PEOPLE YOU CARE: SHOW PEOPLE YOU CARE BE NICE WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER LOOK FOR WAYS TO HELP AND SURPRISE PEOPLE WITH KINDNESS Source: Fun is Good, TrainingABC,Video, 2004


DID YOU KNOW: DID YOU KNOW According to the President’s Science Advisory report the cost of stress is 200 billion dollars annually. Source: www.11u.edu/news/today/sept98/othnews.htm


STRESS IN THE WORKPLACE: STRESS IN THE WORKPLACE Is one of the main causes of: Illness Absenteeism Employee burnout Source: www.homormatters.com/articles/workplac.htm


HUMOR REDUCES STRESS: HUMOR REDUCES STRESS Because it makes us feel good At the moment we experience humor, feelings like depression, anger and anxiety dissolve. Source: www.homormatters.com/articles/workplac.htm


THINGS YOU CAN DO TO PROMOTE HUMOR IN THE WORKPLACE: THINGS YOU CAN DO TO PROMOTE HUMOR IN THE WORKPLACE HUMOR ROOM JOY COMMITTEE BASKET OF TOYS JOKE OF THE DAY JOKE HOTLINE RECOGNITION COMMITTEE BLOOPER LOG GREAT JOB CARDS GIVE AN EMPLOYEE A CITATION FOR SOMETHING FUNNY THEY HAVE DONE Source: www.howhappyareyouatwork.com/funnun_article.htm


THE BOTTOM LINE: THE BOTTOM LINE Humor contributes to positive morale which is a major factor contributing to the retention of valued employees SOURCE: http://humanresources.about.com


Slide22: ARE MORE PRODUCTIVE AND ENJOY THEIR WORK MORE Source: Fun is Good, 2004 POSITIVE PEOPLE…………


Slide23: POSITIVE, HUMOROUS PEOPLE MAKE LIFE WORTH LIVING AND WORK WORTH DOING WELL PATT SCHWAB, PhD. Source: Dr. Patt Schwab,1995 A CLOSING THOUGHT…………


THE BRAIN : THE BRAIN 'The Brain is a wonderful organ. It starts the moment you get up in the morning and does not stop until you get to the office'!