Keeping some “Humor Props” around your desk or office can really be very effective in the elimination of tension. The props are all easy to obtain, aren’t expensive and don’t take up too much room. Things like silly hats, a clown nose, Groucho glasses are all you need to get started.
As a humorist and professional speaker, friends and acquaintances are often asking me how to bring humor into the workplace. Not simply the telling of jokes or for goofing around but, the kind of humor that can help to ease a tense situation or just bring about some personal relief after a particularly trying day. Now, when I am not on the stage speaking to groups about humor and stress, I just happen to have my business to run, so I don’t have much first hand experience with tension, or “particularly trying days”, so what do I know about stress? “From what I’ve heard, it sounds as though things can go askew once in a while and actually cause one to feel some emotional discomfort”, (he said, with his tongue firmly in his cheek.) Just in case any of this ever happens to you, there are a few simple (and fun) things you might try.
Let me assure you that when you try using any of your “Humor Props” in the way I’m about to describe you will feel absolutely ridiculous , but I promise you that in the end you will have accomplished what you set out to do; break the tension, feel better, move ahead and remain productive!
If you find yourself on the phone and in a conversation that is becoming stressful, for whatever reason, put on your clown nose or Groucho glasses! The key is to do this in the spur of the moment (that’s why you need to have them out in the open, around your desk, so you can see the props, grab one and use it to your advantage), without skipping a beat. Once the prop is properly in place, just keep the conversation going and realize how nutty you look (it would be great if you had a mirror handy). Once you start to feel real silly and you allow your sense of humor to kick in you’ll find that you can better deal with the party (what a word to describe someone who’s causing you stress) on the other end of your phone. You’ll find also that once you allow your mood to lighten, you’ll be more in control, more confident and more creative with the solutions you suggest to resolve the issue. Don’t be afraid to try this even in a one-on-one, in person situation as a quick way to break the tension.
For those of you who may be in management positions and are about to have a meeting with one or more of your personnel, a meeting that will probably be unpleasant, get out your silly hats! Once everyone is seated and ready to begin, when you can feel the tension in the room, put your silly hat on and ask the others in attendance to wear one also. After the initial shock, you’ll find that everyone’s mood will lighten up almost instantly and that you’ll be able to get on with the meeting without that bogged down, up-tight feeling that can only be a detriment to progress. Put everyone’s anxiety aside and you’ll have an easier time clearing the air and ending the conflict.
Please remember that if attitude is everything, an attitude of respect for others is absolutely essential! When you’re on the phone, feel free to have all the fun you want in order to help yourself (after all, who’ll know besides you?), but when others are involved you must make it clear that you are not mocking or being flippant about the situation, but rather you believe that by helping to generate some humor you can all feel better, quicker and thereby speedily and effectively resolve the problem at hand.
I actually have had some stress and tension in my day and have personally tried all of these ideas(and more) more than once. Others to whom I’ve made these suggestions have felt just a little uncomfortable about trying them, but once they did, they’ve found that that THEY WORK! I’m confident that you’ll find successful results , too! Please let me know, won’t you? Thanks and HAVE FUN.
PS: I’d appreciate it if you’d also let me know about any other creative/productive ideas you come up with for your “Humor Props”. Thanks, again!
Barry Roberts is an author and humorist, helping businesses to achieve maximum profitability and productivity. He conducts seminars & presents keynotes on humor, stress, leadership and innovative thinking for a broad spectrum of corporations and associations across the USA and Canada. For more information about Barry, his programs and his books, visit www.BarryRoberts.com
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