On the occasion of World Humor Day, communication and sales trainer Ante Mihaljević shared advice on how humor can positively impact your business, prompting you to consider making it a part of your daily business life and thus enabling a successful start to the business year. Through working with numerous large companies, as well as individual training sessions, Mihaljević recounted that he has once again concluded that the best ideas come when the brain is rested, relaxed, and cheerful. And is there a better and quicker way to bring the brain into that state than laughter?
– Some of the best ideas have come to me in jest. I believe many have experienced how humor has sparked their creativity, innovation, and productivity. I don’t know why, but it seems we forget to be cheerful as soon as we put on a suit. It’s time to change that. The beginning of a new business year is excellent for new decisions, such as incorporating humor into your daily business life – says Mihaljević.
Incorporating humor into your presentation is not just an act of kindness and joking; it is actually a strategic move. In this way, we engage our colleagues, clients, and audience, capturing and holding their attention and putting smiles on their faces.
Imagine this, if you dare: the deadline is approaching, the tension in the office is palpable, calming pills are flying off the shelves like Tic Tacs, people are using hamsters as stress balls, and smiles are as rare as parking in Dubrovnik. Darkness over the abyss. Now imagine a company where a different atmosphere prevails, where colleagues know each other well, where management understands the needs of its employees, and where a collaborative and cheerful atmosphere is encouraged.
– As I grew as a business communication trainer, it became clear to me that people are not driven by logic when purchasing, but by emotions. Whether it’s about services, products, or ideas. So, if that’s the case, why not throw in a witty comment during a tense presentation? We are not here just for facts and dry data; sometimes it’s about the narrative, about the stories we tell each other. And stories sell. Since time immemorial. Probably even before – emphasizes Mihaljević.
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Since time immemorial, people in communities have shared stories and built relationships that way. We like to believe that we have progressed significantly since those times, but little has changed in our essence. Humor still goes well with storytelling, making presentations more memorable, pleasant, and ultimately, more successful.
Of course, a good atmosphere in the office is the result of numerous, quite complex factors and is not easily achieved. And no, humor alone will not be sufficient to achieve such an atmosphere.
We highlight a few tips on how to achieve such an environment and what to definitely avoid.
1. Small Steps Forward
No one expects you to become Jerry Seinfeld overnight, but a couple of appropriate jokes help break the ice. That humor doesn’t need to be a one-hour stand-up comedy; small everyday things are enough to draw a smile. After that, everything goes easier.
2. Embrace Discomfort
Dark humor is a goldmine for good jokes. We have all clicked “reply all” when we shouldn’t have at least once. We can all recognize ourselves in a good anecdote. And maybe even laugh. I consider sharing those dark moments to be something like team building without those trust falls. Or without karaoke. Or without ____ (insert things that are cringe for you).
3. Less Boredom, More Laughter in Meetings
Meetings are a necessary evil of office life. Like a thermostat. You can’t live with it, you can’t live without it. Marko is hot, Ivana is cold. All the time.
So since we have to have them (thermostats and meetings, Ivana and Marko are okay), we can add a touch of cheer to those meetings. We can start them with a good ice breaker, tell an appropriate joke related to the agenda, or even insert a funny meme into the presentation. I repeat, it doesn’t have to be the best stand-up ever, but it can contribute to building team spirit and increasing productivity.
4. Less Robotics, More Humanity
In the age of various AI tools, Chat GPT, and the automation of everything possible, it’s a good idea to emphasize the human side of this whole story. We can share personal anecdotes, wish a colleague a happy birthday with something more creative than a generic email, encourage colleagues to be authentic and show their quirky side…
The key is not to force the story but to create an atmosphere where humor can breathe naturally.
Also, there are things that should never be done. Humor does not cover everything.
1. Beware of Sensitive Topics
Humor is a great tool, but it must be handled carefully. Avoid sensitive topics related to religion, nationality, sexual orientation, politics, and other private matters. You don’t want a joke attempt to turn into a conversation with the human resources department and into awkward silences around the office.
2. Don’t Become the King of Pranks
This is not The Office (although it would be really cool if it were). While a good prank can be turbo funny, be careful not to overdo it. Anything that could disrupt the workflow, disturb colleagues, or damage inventory should be avoided at all costs. It’s all fun and games until someone loses their temper. Or a stapler. Or an eye.
3. Watch Your Timing
As with many other things, it’s all about timing. Avoid jokes during tense situations or at extremely important meetings. Your attempt at humor may not be well received while everyone is anxiously awaiting a client’s response or an important decision.
4. Be Aware of Generational Differences
Not everyone has the same sense of humor, which is particularly evident among different generations. Be mindful of contextual or internal jokes that only those with identical interests as you understand. They may not be bad, but you don’t want to make people feel excluded. The goal is to connect, not to alienate.
– We are all about ping-pong tables and PlayStations, fresh juices, chia seeds, and almond milk – which is all great, commendable, and desirable in itself – and we forget the basics: we shouldn’t take ourselves or our work too seriously. Those who can laugh at themselves always have something to laugh about. And look at the joke, then when we relax and stop frantically chasing KPIs and add a little color to the world, the results will come by themselves. Isn’t that funny? – concludes Mihaljević.
