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It turns out, as an adult, finding moments of fun amidst all your responsibilities is truly a luxury. Studies show that while children laugh around 400 times a day, adults only do it 15 times on average.
And it’s no wonder—according to Gallup, more than 60% of people at work feel disengaged and lack inspiration to do more than the bare minimum. Only a fraction, around 30%, say they feel genuinely fulfilled both in their personal and professional lives.
Humor is the secret ingredient that makes employees feel consistently happier. It’s because laughter actually lowers stress hormones like cortisol, creating a relaxed atmosphere that encourages collaboration and productivity. Daniel Sgroi, an economics professor at the University of Warwick, notes that “it’s almost like being happy generates more time” to accomplish work tasks.
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Research also shows that office jokesters are perceived as more confident and capable by their coworkers. Their ability to lighten the mood and connect with others suggests strong social skills, which are often admired in the workplace.
According to Stanford experts Naomi Bagdonas and Jennifer Aaker, humor is crucial for effective leadership. “We can do serious things without taking ourselves too seriously. And in fact, often we can do them better and more fashionably,” Bagdonas explains.
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The Stanford duo highlights that being able to share a laugh with the people you see at work every day is what shifts your relationships from “transactional to human”. For those who feel like they’re just a replaceable part in a big system, this can make a significant difference.
However, while a harmless prank can brighten anyone’s day, making insensitive remarks can quickly turn the workplace toxic. Bagdonas and Aaker insist, “It’s not about you.”
“Don’t ask, will this make me sound funny? Instead, ask how will this make other people feel, which also means never punching down,” Aaker said.
A good way to tell if you’re crossing the line with your coworkers is if you constantly have to explain that whatever you say is “just a joke”. This is often just an excuse to be mean, and instead of finding you witty, your colleagues might think, “Oh god, I can’t believe you just said that.”
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Ronald E. Riggio, professor of Leadership and Organizational Psychology at Claremont McKenna College, believes you can keep your interactions positive and lighthearted by bonding over shared experiences with your coworkers.
For example, you can start by making casual observations about common things you all deal with and then point out something amusing or unusual. Like, when talking about a time you had to work from home, you might joke about missing the days when you could wear pajama pants instead of a suit.
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Remember that you don’t have to be the office comedian round-the-clock or make a big show of it. There are plenty of subtle ways to leave a lasting impression.
Bagdonas and Aaker suggest adding a fun twist to your email signature. You could sign off with something like “Yours, heavily caffeinated” or “Still wondering who let the dogs out” if someone's pet unexpectedly interrupts your team’s Zoom call.