in this current financial climate there’s a danger that we can lose our sense of humor (spelt Humour in UK). We have all becoming increasingly entertained by the incompetence of the Government when they all suddenly pretend that their favorite food is Cornish pasties. But how important is humor in business?

Business Humor?
I’m not talking about playing jokes or being silly at work. I mean the humor that attracts people to it and relieves pressure and stress of day to day work. That management encourages humor and is even prepared to initiate it rather than take itself too seriously. 

Let me give you some examples:
Given the choice of two networking meetings which would look most attractive to join?
A group talking seriously with each other or another group that’s obviously having a good laugh and being entertained as in the picture above.

At work do you mix with the individual who’s always smiling or the person with a depressive nature who when he smells flowers looks around for a funeral.

Humor and success
In my experience I often note that the person with appropriate business humour skills, as well as qualifications and experience, is the individual that’s more easily promoted.
The problem with so many people at work is that they have great senses of humour, but manage to hide it well.

What are your experiences of humor and success and your favorite stories?

I always find January in my gym difficult. It’s packed with people with good intentions that have made New Year resolutions. However, generally, by mid February the status-quo has been restored and I can find exercise machines, mats and weights easily available. I guess the same goes for other resolutions such as stopping smoking or saving more money.

Team resolutions
Resolutions that do seem to succeed are those made where the results are also monitored by other people and one can be held to account. I was thinking last night if it would be more sensible to make business team resolutions that would improve team effectiveness?
Some I might consider:

• Arriving on time for meetings
• Replying to e-mail within 24 hours
• Providing more support to other team members
• Holding more regular meetings
• keeping meetings to time

What would be your ideas?
Happy New Year to all