Laughter
This paraphrased quote is from Mark Twain.
If you have ever read ‘The Adventures of Tom Sawyer’ or ‘The Innocents Abroad’ you’ll know that Twain used humour extensively in his writing to challenge deeply entrenched societal problems like racism, religious hypocrisy and political corruption.
For him, laughter wasn't merely entertainment, it was a revolutionary force that could accomplish what direct confrontation often couldn't.
And it’s a critically underutilised tool in workplace cultures around the world.
This perspective aligns with organisational psychology research suggesting that appropriate humour in workplaces can break down hierarchical barriers, facilitate honest communication, and create psychological safety, which are all essential components of high-performing cultures.
And that’s just the organisational benefit. There are personal benefits too:
This last point is a key reason why humour — and more generally creating moments where laughter can naturally occur — is something that I continue to build into my work. I subscribe to the mantra that if people are laughing, then they are learning. It results in a better experience for all involved.
That’s not to say that your work is a joke (it’s important to be serious and focused too), or that it should be a barrel of laughs every day (just the odd moment would be fine) or that laughter should be forced through a never-ending series of Dad jokes or puns.
Self and social awareness is also required to ensure that laughter contributes to safety and doesn’t undermine it. We’ve all read stories in the media about senior leaders delivering off-colour (note: this is corporate/media spin for ‘offensive’) comments at the expense of individuals.
However, creating opportunities for people to talk about things other than the tasks they have to complete, the hurdles they have to jump over to get their job done or the priorities they have to juggle in order to feel like they are making a contribution, will always be time well spent.
These are the moments where laughter will permeate and improve the days of those that were part of a moment in time where we shared the one thing that we all love to do: laugh.
Ok, just one joke then… from the brilliant Tim Vine:
So I said to the gym instructor: 'Can you teach me to do the splits?' He said: 'How flexible are you?' I said: I can't make Tuesdays.'