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The Default Perspective on Work…Is Kinda Blah
For many, the default mindset around work is “ugh,” “yuck,” or “just get through it.” Meetings feel like obligations, projects feel like burdens, and laughter? That’s for weekends.
But what if that perspective could be shaken up?
What if your team meeting was something you looked forward to – because you knew there’d be laughter? What if that one colleague wasn’t “a pain,” but “a riot”? What if your work life wasn’t just productive, but also fun?
This isn’t wishful thinking. It’s a shift in perspective – and it can change everything.
What Happens When We Laugh Together?
Neuroscience tells us that laughter releases feel-good chemicals like dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins. When teams laugh together:
- Trust increases. Oxytocin (the “bonding hormone”) fosters a sense of safety and connection.
- Stress decreases. Laughter activates the parasympathetic nervous system, calming fight-or-flight responses.
- Collaboration improves. Positive mental states make people more open, creative, and willing to share.
In short: laughter builds better teams.
And it’s no surprise that comedians are often seen as truth-tellers. Humor cuts through noise, says what others won’t, and lands with impact. It’s bold and daring. And if done artfully, it is utterly and profoundly human.
The Coaching Lens: A Humorous coworker walks into a meeting
From a coaching perspective, it opens a door to new perspectives. It breaks us out of rigid thinking patterns and allows us to play with possibility.
When we’re in a positive mental state, we:
- Speak more authentically
- Make less fear-based decisions
- Show up more creatively
- Listen more generously
It’s a palpable change. The meeting that felt like a minefield becomes a moment of connection. The stressful deadline becomes a shared challenge (with a few snarky quips thrown in). Suddenly, the culture is redefined – not from the top down, but from the inside out.
Not All Heroes Wear Capes – Some Can Just Tell a Joke
Here’s the secret superpower of workplace levity: it lets you model safe vulnerability (put that kryptonite away!).
When you can laugh at yourself – your quirks, mistakes, and blind spots – you:
- Signal that perfection isn’t required
- Give others permission to do the same
- Create a culture of psychological safety
Some real-world examples:
- Forget something obvious? Call it a “Brain Fog Tuesday.”
- Ask too many questions? Own it: “Hi, I’m a Questionaholic.”
- Caught micromanaging? Label it with humor: “Hover Mode…Activated.”
Laughter disarms defensiveness. And when you can laugh and improve in the same breath? That’s where growth gets fun.
My Own Experience: If We’re Going to Do This, We Better Have Some Fun
My coworkers and I had a shared agreement: “If we’re going to do this, we better have some fun.” That wasn’t just lip service.
At the end of every weekly Ops meeting, we’d tell a joke. It became a thing I genuinely looked forward to. I’d collect funny moments and anecdotes throughout the week, always on the lookout.
In my coaching and leadership roles, humor was never about being the class clown. It was about using lightness to land a message, to own mistakes safely, and to build trust.
And duh, it worked.
The stories I told stuck. The lessons landed. And I help make more space for others to show up as their whole selves – including the joyful parts.
How to Cultivate More Humor at Work
Like any other skill, humor can be practiced. Here’s how to start:
- Keep a joke or anecdote log. Mine your week for funny moments with hidden lessons.
- Name your quirks. Give playful labels to your blind spots to invite others in with humor.
- Ask for a joke. Try starting meetings with, “Anyone got a joke today?”
- Prep before a meeting. Pull one light story from your log that might spark a smile or insight.
- Invite others. Create rituals around levity – like “Friday Fun Facts” or “Mistake of the Month.”
And remember: funny doesn’t mean fake. It means real, with joy
The Unofficial Rulebook for Workplace Humor
Do:
- Keep it clean and inclusive
- Know your audience and timing
- Lead by example
- Call out humor intentionally: “That was a good one!”
- Practice regularly – it’s a skill
- Use humor to elevate, not deflect
Don’t:
- Punch down or mock
- Use sarcasm to hide truth
- Try to be “the funny one” at others’ expense
- Make light of pain without consent
- Force it – humor lands best when it’s real
When Humor Falls Flat
It happens. A joke misfires. A comment misses tone. Here’s what to do:
- Own it immediately. “Whoops – didn’t land how I meant.”
- Use humor to recover. “That joke brought to you by… my 2007 self.”
- Gauge the room. Apologize if needed, then reset.
- Learn and move on. Humor grows with use – and mistakes.
Even a failed attempt shows you’re human
Finding Unexpected Joy in Stressful Situations
Humor doesn’t erase hardship – it reframes it.
Call it “gallows humor,” “perspective-taking,” or just another day in the office. When things are tough, finding a reason to laugh can:
- Build resilience
- Strengthen relationships
- Remind us we’re not alone
- Reconnect us to our values and purpose
Humor is serious business. It reminds us that even in high-stakes work, joy is possible. Not forced joy – earned joy. Shared joy. Unexpected joy.
Recommended Resources
- “Humor, Seriously” by Jennifer Aaker & Naomi Bagdonas – A science-based case for humor in leadership
- “The Happiness Advantage” by Shawn Achor – How positivity fuels success
- “Radical Candor” by Kim Scott – The role of authenticity and care in feedback
- Or check out this blog post on Micro-Joy
One Small Step for Humor
Start small: tell a joke this week. Or better yet, laugh at yourself with kindness. See what happens.
And if you’re a leader – or aspiring to be one – ask yourself this:
“How can I create a joyful environment that people actually want to be part of?”
Joy doesn’t have to be rare. Sometimes, it starts with a chuckle.
A Note From Your NYC Personal Life Coach, Whenever You’re Ready
If something here resonated and you’d like support as you sort through what comes next, I’m here. I’m an online life coach based in New York City, working with people across the United States on mindset, clarity, and joyful personal growth.
Reach me anytime at [email protected].
We can start with a short consultation to help you get clear on one meaningful next step.