Keep laughing without losing productivity

There will be a group of people who believe the old myths about the workplace. Things like “Work is no place for fun!” or “If you’re laughing, you must be goofing of; which is wasting valuable time and resources.” I’m sorry, but if I had to spend 40 hours each week doing anything, I want it to be fun! I don’t want to dread getting up each morning facing the day in front of me. Neither should you. Besides, research shows that humor makes the day go better, not worse, in terms of productivity. If you take a moment to research this topic you will find numerous studies showing that there is a direct relationship between the company profit and the happiness of the employees.

Robert Half International conducted a study to see just how much more productive people with a sense of humor are compared to their counterparts. After surveying vice presidents and personnel directors at 100 of America’s largest corporations, the study showed that 84 percent believed employees who laughed were more productive. In the same study, 97 percent of executives counted humor as one of the most valuable assets in the business place. The perception of laughter on your abilities is amazing, but it’s not all smoke and mirrors. A good sense of humor can do more for your career than steadily plodding through each day.

Laughter in the work place generally means higher productivity, more creative solutions and fewer absences. There’s a reason that business consultants regularly discuss team building projects involving fun

and games these days: the climate in the workplace is changing from the dull, drab and boring of old. Evolving dress codes are just one example. Of course, when it comes to having fun while staying productive, as we’ve said, there’s a delicate balance that needs to be respected.

Individual morale affects the team as a whole, and the company by default. If even a single person makes an effort to change the dynamics at work, it will have a ripple effect on everyone. That positive attitude increases communication; which is the single most important aspect of any job. Let’s face it; no one wants to talk to Kill-joy. Avoiding it, however, stifles communication within the team and effectively stifles productivity.

In order to improve productivity in the workplace, it requires a shift of mentality by everyone. The old-fashioned concept of negative feedback to push for higher productivity is lost in today’s business world – no matter what the business. Employees know there are other places more in tune with their morale, and they have no problem moving on. Increased turnover reduces productivity while the company strives to get new employees up to speed and hopefully retain them. The end result is a revolving door of unhappy employees and a significant drop in efficiency. What a nightmare!

The key is to remain serious about your work without taking yourself too seriously. Stay focused on the job-at-hand when it requires your

attention. No amount of fun will make up for a missed deadline or an irritated client because there were jokes to be told or pranks to be pulled. The desired end result is a fun work environment with strong communication that gets the job done. Keep this in mind at all times.

Luckily, there are lots of things you can do in an off-the-cuff way that neither stifles production nor offends the schedule. In fact, even a walk to the printer can be the perfect moment for entertainment during a busy time:

Play Duck, Duck, Goose on your way to the printer or washroom.

Babble incoherently at a co-worker and then say, “Did you get all that? I don’t want to have to repeat myself.”

Every time someone turns a page during a meeting, make a beeping noise.

Open the cap of a White Out bottle and tip the bottle over onto a piece of wax paper spilling a generous amount. Wait a day or two until it dries, and then remove the wax paper. Take it with you to work and place it on the “neat freak’s” desk.

If you ever accidentally leave your fly open and when someone points it out to you leave it and say, “Thanks, but I really prefer it this way.”

Lock all your joints and walk around like a zombie.

Pretend your mouse is a CB Radio.

Do aerobics at your desk while humming “YMCA”.

Blow bubbles.

Put up “Please Use Other Door” signs on all doors going into the office.

Wear a “Kick Me” sign on your shirt – preferably in front so that everyone knows you know it’s there.

Every time the phone rings, yell “We’ve got a big one!”

Name your computer, work truck, or the piece of machinery that you work with; talk to it every day and refer to it by name when discussing it with others.

Sign your e-mails with “Grazie”, “Domo Origato” or “Danke” instead of “Thanks”.

Suggest that only those with a low IQ can’t whistle.

Never use contractions and always refer to yourself in the third person.

Put your garbage can on your desk and label it “IN”.

Develop an unnatural fear of an object of your choice.

Put a mosquito netting hood over your head. Play a tape of jungle sounds all day.

Show people your driver’s license and demand to know if they’ve seen this person.

Stare at static on a display TV and challenge other employees whether they, too, can see the “hidden picture.”

If you have to take an elevator to get to your office or cubical, try some of these.

Offer nametags to everyone. Wear yours upside-down.

Make race car noises when anyone gets on or off.

When arriving at your floor, grunt and strain to yank the doors open. Then act embarrassed when they open by themselves.

Greet everyone getting on the elevator with a warm handshake and ask them to call you Admiral.

Crack open your briefcase or purse, and while looking inside ask: “Do you have enough air in there?”

Ask each passenger getting on if you can push the button for them.

Productivity requires creativity, and that thrives in a fun-filled environment. So even during the busiest times, it makes sense to take time to laugh. In fact, laughter may help drive productivity beyond expectations. Take Google™ for instance. The company thrives on having fun and look at the success they have achieved. The work environment includes a slide, game room, igloos for meeting ‘pods’, and it even has beanbag chairs. About.com gave this one of many examples: ‘All the Engineers at Google™ are encouraged to spend 20% of their work time on projects that interest them. Not only does this keep Engineers happy and challenged, it‘s also good business’. Some estimates directly attribute half of all new product launches to

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