A finance director stands in front of hundreds of employees to reveal the annual figures. No, it’s not the start of the most corporate joke ever, but something I saw a few weeks ago.
Right away, he reveals he’s nervous. This isn’t his natural habitat. In fact, the last time he was on stage was back in high school, playing Kenickie in a production of Grease. He promises that if anyone falls asleep while he talks through the figures, as punishment for being boring, he’ll sing “Greased Lightnin’” to wake them up. Cue appreciative chuckles as the audience warms to him.
His openness (and conjuring the memorable image of him with coiffured hair and a cigarette behind his ear) isn’t something we expect in a business setting, let alone from the numbers guy.
Humor connects. It creates a window into the real person on stage. The finance director suddenly became someone the whole audience has an interest in actually listening to.
We don’t often see humor in senior leaders or managers in the workplace. Because of that, it’s a surefire way to be heard. But it comes with a risk: What if it doesn’t land right?
Here are six ways to use humor effectively at work.
1. Help the room, rather than perform for it
The best humor makes it easier for people to listen, learn, and work together. The worst kind asks everyone to stop and admire the person being funny.
I once worked with someone who made quips all the time. He would interject with—bunny ears quotation fingers at the ready—a hilarious aside.
He was quick minded, but he slowed down meetings. So, before you open your mouth, ask yourself: Will this help the room move forward, or am I simply trying to get a laugh for the sake of it?
2. Don’t punch down
During a meeting recently, all of us got distracted by a driver outside the window making heavy weather of getting into a parking spot. To get us back on track, I broke the silence with: “I’m very good at parallel parking.” There was a bit of a laugh, and we were ready to continue. But a member of the team chipped in, “Ha! What do you drive, Penny? A Mini?” I managed not to snap back that I drive a large, menacing car, thank you very much, and instead joined his colleagues in silently looking down at our notepads. His denigrating “joke” fell flat.
Comedy-wise, it’s called “punching down” when we deploy humor at another’s expense. Like a fart in an elevator, it’s not nice. Ditto banter at work: Let’s just not.
3. Make it shared and situational
The safest and often funniest humor comes from something everyone can see: technology that’s stopped working, the oddly gloomy room you’re in because the light switch is unfathomable, or the mild absurdity of a situation unfolding before you. It’s joyful because everybody is in on it.
Humor tends to travel badly. A reference, phrase, or badinage that feels obvious to you may mean nothing to an international colleague. Similarly, private jokes and niche references are a waste of breath. If three colleagues are swapping jokes about a ball game while everybody else waits, they’re being cliquey and exclusionist.
4. Use self-deprecation carefully
The financial director’s Grease story worked because he gave us a bit of vulnerability without casting doubt on his ability to do the job. He admitted he was nervous; he didn’t say he was hopeless with numbers.
Laughing at yourself shows that you feel secure in who you are. Repeatedly telling people that you are disorganized, terrible at spreadsheets, or no good under pressure may eventually persuade them that you are just that. Be warmly self-aware but don’t regularly undermine yourself.
5. Notice what people already find funny about you
Most people have their own version of wit, even if they would never describe themselves as outright funny.
When I was starting out as a professional speaker, I watched recordings of my keynote talks to learn where I could improve. I noticed audiences laughing at times I didn’t expect. I asked people what they found funny and sometimes the answer was: “It’s the way your eyebrows work, Penny.”
For you it may be a dry observation, an unexpected phrase, or the expression on your face that people find amusing. And then, if you’re inclined, do more of it.
6. Never use humor in an email
A firm rule of mine. When you’re in person, a smile or the warmth in your voice can indicate your meaning. On email, your beautifully judged ironic observation can arrive sounding sharp or baffling. Save your repartee for situations where people can read your intention. In a room, on a call, or on stage, where you can see how it lands and adjust accordingly.
Humor is just another form of communication
Humor at work doesn’t feel risky when we view it as another form of communication that simply shows an understanding of yourself and your audience, making it more likely you’ll be listened to and noticed. And that’s no joke.