Humor In The Workplace If I am having this much fun, can I really be at work? Bill Hendry Northwestern Michigan College Spring Conference, May 14-16, 2008 Mackinac Island, Mission Point Resort
Welcome to the Island!
Who would you rather work for?
Complete this phrase…. If they’re busting a gut, they’ll bust their _______
Reading list The Levity Effect: Why it Pays to Lighten Up by Adrian Gostick and Scott Christopher
The Levity Effect Leaders 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 Research Great 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 leaders Fun and the celebration of an accomplishment Fun benefits from high trust
What do you show your people? Can you laugh at yourself? Can you use levity to diffuse tense situations?
At your table, identify a TV boss/personality who reminds you of your own boss….
Retention and a manager’s sense of humor On a scale of 1-10, 10 = highest
Manager’s sense of humor on retention Rated % chance of staying Rated % chance of staying
Humor is essential for HR pros Enhance your negotiation skills Rapport building Get their attention Get your listeners to relax and hear your message Help them remember
Laughter – can it really 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 presentations “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 against Levity at work?
In the next few minutes, share in your small group what you do to… LIGHTEN UP!!
Real-life examples of levity Mystery Field Trip Telling stories on myself The Boxer Shorts and The Full Monty Slide party of summer vacation Chocolate kisses “No-kill” policy for screw ups in HR Put on the
Biggest Blunder Award
A standing ovation please!!
4 More real life examples
More ways to levity…
Retreat!!
One of our favorite holidays!
Pumpkin design contest
Holiday party at the Boss’ house
Annual Indoor Scholarship Golf Outing
The boss treats us!
Support flexibility
Support wellness
Potlucks are fun!
Signs 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 rules Yourself The situation you all face
Areas to stay away from Co-workers sexual preference People’s appearance Everything Mom told you about… Bodily functions….ewwwww!!
What are you going to try? TUIT
Contact Information Bill Hendry, SPHR Executive Director of Human Resources Northwestern Michigan College 1701 E. Front St. Traverse City, MI (231) work phone (231) fax
"Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."