That title has set me up for a fall right from the word go hasn’t it?

I’m sure comedians hate it when, in their personal life, someone says ‘Go on then: be funny!’

So is there a formula for being funny? And why should we even bother to try?

A sense of humour is part of the art of leadership, of getting along with people, of getting things done

Dwight D. Eisenhower

It’s so difficult to be funny to order. And yet humour often makes the world a more comfortable place and can boost morale when used carefully in the workplace.

Laughter stimulates the production of serotonin – the happy chemical – and so lowers stress. Serotonin also helps with memory. So humour in the workplace has both commercial and personal benefits.

Great. So we should all just be funnier. But how?

Making things funny

Our advice is to try making serious things funny and funny things serious – within reason.

(Of course, you do have to be careful. Humour can hurt if used irresponsibly. So humour that’s directed at someone in particular should be avoided).

Many years ago I wrote a very serious invitation to our office Christmas party – it was written in the style of a notice of an academic lecture by Prof RRN Reindeer, an expert in high efficiency, hyper-spacial flight. I then asked our very serious boss to give his annual speech at the party wearing a set of flashing antlers. He rose to the occasion and delivered his key messages using phrases like ‘leading from the front’ and ‘making an international impact’, with reference to Rudolf. It was the first time anyone really listened all the way through and remembered it afterwards!

On training days we regularly find fun in things we say or things delegates say without seeking to belittle anyone. It helps the day go more smoothly and people enjoy themselves. Training doesn’t have to be deadly serious!

Southwest Airlines encourages their staff to be funny and gives some great guidance on how to do it:

Think funny

Look for the flip side of situations, and make outrageous thoughts fun

Adopt a Playful Attitude

Stay open to silly or non-conformist thoughts and behaviours

Be the First to Laugh

Try to be the first to find humour in stressful situations

Laugh with, not at

Promote healthy constructive humour

Laugh at yourself

Take work seriously but not yourself

 How can you introduce more humour into your workplace?