I’m hooked. Everyday, friends email me Internet humor. I’m pounding on my keyboard and I notice that I need a humor fix. My workday involves pleasing clients, appeasing stakeholders, fixing problems, acquiring/dispensing resources, or resolving disputes. This is the typical stuff of work. And frankly, it’s not always fun. These email jokes make me more agreeable, friendly, and things simply go better.
Have you seen Monty Python’s Flying Circus movie? It’s a goofy movie about ridiculous work situations. John Cleese the actor, has been writing, producing, and starring in training videos on workplace humor. Cleese believes that laughter is an essential Brand U practice to maintaining workplace sanity.
We’ve all seen the success, quality, teamwork, and customer service posters at work. They’re everywhere. “If I see anymore of these, I’ll puke,” said a cynical friend. Given normal work conditions, these posters were fun. I even bought 20 quality posters once for my team. But times have changed. More Brand U’s are tired or simply fried at work. We’re now seeing the poster backlash. These anti or demotivational posters offer sterling advice such as: ‘PROCRASTINATION: Hard Work Often Pays Off After Time.