Humour at Work
Why Leaders Should Take Laughter Seriously
Finding Lightness When Times Get Heavy
Did you know that employees who laugh together are more engaged, more collaborative, and significantly more productive? Research has found that appropriate workplace humour can increase productivity by up to 12%, while teams that laugh together report higher levels of trust, creativity, and psychological safety.
When work gets busy, deadlines pile up, and stress levels rise, laughter is often one of the first things to disappear. Ironically, that's when we need it most. Humour doesn't mean being the office comedian or telling jokes; It's about creating moments of lightness that help people connect and remember that we're all human.
So, what does appropriate workplace humour look like?
Humour should always build people up vs tear them down. The best workplace humour creates connection, reduces tension, and reminds us that we can accomplish serious work without taking ourselves too seriously.
Three simple habits can make a remarkable difference.
1. Smile More
Never underestimate the power of a genuine smile. Smiling is contagious. It communicates warmth, openness, and approachability before a single word is spoken. Whether you're welcoming someone into a meeting, walking down the hallway, or beginning a difficult conversation, your smile will immediately lower barriers and help people feel at ease. Remember: people are naturally drawn to leaders who create positive energy… and this will make your job easier.
2. Connect the Dots
One of the easiest ways to create light-hearted moments is by referring back to something someone said earlier. Imagine a colleague who proudly announced they were going to start running every morning. A week later they arrive carrying a giant coffee and joking about how "the snooze button won again." A simple comment like, "How's marathon training going?" accompanied by a smile often sparks laughter and reminds people that you're listening and paying attention. These small moments build relationships because they demonstrate genuine interest in others—not just their work, but the conversations you've shared together.
3. Be Willing to Laugh at Yourself
One of the most powerful leadership qualities is humility. Leaders who can admit mistakes, gently poke fun at themselves, or acknowledge an awkward moment, can create an environment where others feel safe doing the same. Maybe you accidentally joined a Teams meeting while still on mute for two minutes. Maybe you walked into the wrong meeting room. Maybe your technology refused to cooperate during an important presentation. Instead of becoming defensive or embarrassed, smile and own it! Self-deprecating humour—used appropriately—shows confidence, authenticity, and emotional intelligence. It tells your team, "We're all human." When leaders let go of ego, trust grows.
Why Humour Matters
Humour isn't a distraction from performance—it supports it. Laughter helps reduce stress, improves communication, strengthens relationships, and encourages creativity. Teams that enjoy working together are more willing to collaborate, solve problems, support one another, and navigate challenges with resilience.
When pressure increases, don't remove the humour. Increase it. A well-timed smile, a light-hearted observation, or the willingness to laugh at yourself can completely change the tone of a difficult day.
Final Thoughts
Work will always have deadlines, difficult conversations, and moments of pressure. We can't eliminate those realities—but we can choose how we respond to them. The leaders who create high-performing teams aren't necessarily the ones with the loudest voices or the longest resumes. They're the ones who make people feel comfortable, connected, and optimistic during challenging times. So tomorrow, smile a little more. Bring up that funny comment from last week's meeting. Be willing to laugh at yourself before someone else does. Because sometimes the shortest path to better engagement, stronger relationships, and improved performance starts with something as simple as a smile.
