Is humor a good tool at workplace? Most of my colleagues have a good sense of humor. Luckily for all of us, one of us eventually diffuse a very high tension-filled situation with light humor. This has always worked in our favor in order to quickly refocus and let out the built-up bad energy.
Recently during a situation update occurring every 4 hours during business hours, a friend was badly bruised for using humor during the meeting. The comment made by him was not inappropriate but it had sarcasm hidden inside a taunt. It angered another attendee who also happened to at the top of the ladder, not way up but getting there. This resulted in non-pleasant verbal exchange both in the meeting and outside the meeting.
Fortunately, all is past. Now I am wondering if humor is a good tool. If humor is a good tool, what are the things to be considered while using humor to diffuse a situation at work?
Tags: Musings,Humor
There is a proverb, "a bad workman blames his tool". I feel humor is a great tool if used properly according to the situation. A misuse can spoil the job like any other tool.. :)
ReplyDeleteWe have to be careful while using humor. It shouldn't hurt anyone.
DeleteMust be used in proper conditions keeping everybody in mind.
ReplyDeleteIsn't that the tough part?
DeleteHumor is good as long it is a little on the lighter side and not hurting others...sarcasm is definitely not humor according to me coz its only enjoyed by those who indulge in taking sadistic pleasure by hurting others...when we are cracking a joke or passing a humorous comment in a group, we have to keep in mind about everybody around us and a joke/funny comment should be enjoyed by everyone but not at the cost of someone else's pride/ego, whatever. Well, that's just my opinion :)
ReplyDeleteSarcasm can be used effectively to motivate people. It is dangerous because some people cannot get over the taunt. That is the biggest negative point of using sarcasm.
DeleteWell I guess, humor is good but not sarcasm or leg pulling.There is thin line between so one has to be cautious.We can't just wish to enjoy a a laugh at the cost of somebody else's peace of mind.:)
ReplyDeleteYes, true. :)
DeleteWell I guess, humor is good but not sarcasm or leg pulling.There is thin line between so one has to be cautious.We can't just wish to enjoy a a laugh at the cost of somebody else's peace of mind.:)
ReplyDeleteHumor can be used in a subtle way to bring on the smiles during a tense situation.In fact nonsense also works at times, but if it is hurting someone, then it's calling for trouble.No one takes taunts pointed at them or their likes, in a normal way. Either they will burst at the moment or just keep it inside them and burst sometime later.
ReplyDeleteSo, you have to be very careful at work while using humor?
DeleteAs you said, humour is good when the intension is...when taunt is inherent in it, it is no more a humour. Isn't it?
ReplyDeleteIt was humor for the rest of the people but not the one who it was aimed at. :|
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