Humor In The WorkplaceHumor In The WorkplaceIf I am having this much fun, can I really be at work?

Bill HendryNorthwestern Michigan College

Spring Conference, May 14-16, 2008Mackinac Island, Mission Point Resort

Welcome to the Island!Welcome to the Island!

Who would you rather work Who would you rather work for?for?

Complete this phrase….Complete this phrase….If they’re busting a gut, they’ll bust their _______

Reading listReading listThe Levity Effect: Why it Pays to

Lighten Up by Adrian Gostick and Scott Christopher

The Levity EffectThe Levity EffectLeaders who lighten up and

create a fun workplace = A significant increase in:

◦Employee Trust◦Creativity◦Communication

Which leads to lower turnover, higher morale, and stronger bottom line.

The ResearchThe ResearchGreat Place To Work Institute

◦Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For

◦81% of respondents in Great Companies said it is a fun environment

◦62 % said so at the Good companies

The important links for The important links for leadersleadersFun and the celebration of an

accomplishmentFun benefits from high trust

What do What do youyou show your show your people?people?Can you laugh at yourself?Can you use levity to diffuse

tense situations?

At your table, identify a TV At your table, identify a TV boss/personality who boss/personality who reminds you of your own reminds you of your own boss….boss….

Retention and a manager’s Retention and a manager’s sense of humorsense of humorOn a scale of 1-10, 10 = highest

Manager’s sense of humor Manager’s sense of humor on retentionon retentionRated 1-6 77.5% chance of

stayingRated 7-10 90 % chance of

staying

Humor is essential for HR Humor is essential for HR prosprosEnhance your negotiation skillsRapport buildingGet their attentionGet your listeners to relax and

hear your messageHelp them remember

Laughter – can it really Laughter – can it really reduce stress?reduce stress?Stress reduces blood flow. Blood delivers oxygen to the

brain and keeps the heart beating.

These are very important to keeping your employees around!

Tips for your Tips for your presentationspresentations

“If you're going to tell people the truth, you better make them laugh; otherwise they'll kill you.”

George Bernard Shaw

(cited in the lead credits to the movie C.S.A. Confederate States of America; also sometimes attributed to Oscar Wilde

What are all the arguments What are all the arguments againstagainst Levity at work? Levity at work?

In the next few minutes, In the next few minutes, share in your small group share in your small group what you do to…what you do to…

LIGHTEN UP!!

Real-life examples of Real-life examples of levitylevityMystery Field TripTelling stories on myselfThe Boxer Shorts and The Full

MontySlide party of summer vacationChocolate kisses“No-kill” policy for screw ups in

HR Put on the

Biggest Blunder AwardBiggest Blunder Award

A standing ovation A standing ovation please!!please!!

4 More real life examples4 More real life examples

More ways to levity…More ways to levity…

Retreat!!Retreat!!

One of our favorite One of our favorite holidays!holidays!

Pumpkin design contestPumpkin design contest

Holiday party at the Boss’ Holiday party at the Boss’ househouse

Annual Indoor Scholarship Annual Indoor Scholarship Golf OutingGolf Outing

The boss treats us!The boss treats us!

Support flexibilitySupport flexibility

Support wellnessSupport wellness

Potlucks are fun!Potlucks are fun!

Signs in the officeSigns in the office“I have only two speeds, and if

this one isn’t fast enough then I’m sure you’re not going to like my other.”

“A Creative Mess is Better than a Tidy Idleness”

“Never get so busy making a living you forget to make a life.”

“We laugh to survive.”

Safe humor rulesSafe humor rulesYourselfThe situation you all face

Areas to stay away fromAreas to stay away fromCo-workers sexual preferencePeople’s appearanceEverything Mom told you about…Bodily functions….ewwwww!!

What are you going to try?What are you going to try?

TUIT

Contact InformationContact InformationBill Hendry, SPHRExecutive Director of Human

ResourcesNorthwestern Michigan College1701 E. Front St.Traverse City, MI 49686bhendry@nmc.edu(231) 995-1025 work phone(231) 995-1590 fax

"Life is not measured by the "Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our moments that take our breath away."breath away."