LinkedIn post by Wolfgang Jenewein
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Did you know that a four-year-old child laughs around 300 times in a single day—and therefore laughs as much in one day as a 40-year-old does in about two and a half months on average? (cf. Aaker & Bagdonas, 2020).
In one study, people were asked: “Did you laugh a lot yesterday?” For those aged 16 to 23, the answer is mostly yes. However, from the age of 23 onward, the answer across all age groups is mostly no. So roughly at the age when we begin to work seriously and take on responsibility, many of us stop laughing.
And still, in many organizations, the belief persists that seriousness—especially in positions of responsibility—is synonymous with professionalism, respect, and authority.
But the opposite is true.
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When we take ourselves too seriously, we unconsciously create a barrier—a barrier that prevents our team from communicating openly with us, giving feedback, or even daring to be humorous themselves.
You’ve probably experienced teams where no one dares to laugh about the boss. What happens in such an environment? The atmosphere becomes stiff, no one admits mistakes, and ultimately, creativity suffers.
When we, as leaders, can laugh at ourselves, we send an important message: Here, you are allowed to be human—and I am one of you!
We show that we are imperfect and authentic. Humor thus creates closeness, trust, and an environment where ideas flow, people feel comfortable, and productivity increases (Lehmann-Willenbrock & Allen, 2014).
According to a meta-analysis, humor not only boosts work performance but is also an effective means to improve employee satisfaction, team cohesion, and employee health (Mesmer-Magnus et al., 2012).
Humor is therefore not a ‘nice-to-have’ but essential for fostering trust, creativity, and well-being. Especially in times like these, a hearty laugh—even at ourselves—can relieve pressure and bring back the joy of working together. So never forget—Leadership Lesson No. 1: “Don’t take yourself so damn seriously.”
What do you think? And what are your experiences with humor in the workplace?
Warm regards,
Your Wolfi 😉