Five Reasons Why We All Need Laughter in the Workplace!

Another great article - on how important laughter is in the workplace!  For those of you who know me and have worked with me you can understand why I support this sort of thinking.  I am a firm believer in the power of laughter.  My favorite points in the article below go hand in hand with my personal beliefs on the importance of culture, innovation and learning.  Please take a moment to read and remember... If you want to see change in your workplace you have to be willing to BE THE CHANGE!!

Much Love,
Sarah

Why do many people get so serious at work? I remember getting into trouble at school for laughing – for teachers in my day it was a sign that someone had lost their focus or worse had committed the taboo of causing others to laugh.

This carried through to the workplace, where everyone was most likely to put on a serious persona. Not anymore! It is slowly being eroded and with good reason!

1. Leaders use laughter to create a fun culture
   Great leaders know that humor is an excellent way to connect with people. If you want to communicate and build trust, Humor is an excellent tool for breaking down the barriers that are assumed between people of different rank in an organization. The skill is the ability to walk into a room, particularly one that has an element of tension within it, and present a humorous anecdote or quip to change the mood.
   A good sense of humor shows that you have a clear understanding of what others are expecting. It is amazing how people warm to those that show understanding, whether it is explicit (e.g. I appreciate how you feel...) or implicit (an ice-breaking joke that makes everyone relax).
   Taking that level of seriousness out of the air is a great tool for then delivering a message that you want people to absorb. Humour can really send a sense of confidence throughout the organization, and it should be encouraged.
2. Laughter is healthy for you – and it's contagious
   Have a good laugh, the kind that makes your stomach hurt and your cheeks ache, floods your body with a range of endorphins that boost your mood and your health. In the current climate of rising stress level and competing timetables, a good laugh can really ward off the demons that come with being at high level intensity for extended periods of time.
   The contagious nature of humour is similar (but not as powerful) as that of yawning. If there are two people laughing hysterically you will see people getting out of their chairs to come and find out what the big joke is. People want to be laughing and enjoying themselves, and hearing laughter in the distance can bring a smile to our face even when we have no idea what's caused it all.
   Laughter is known to reduce stress levels, lower blood pressure and boost your immune system. Exactly what we need at work!
3. Laughter goes hand in hand with innovation
   The most essential ingredient to innovation is idea sharing. Without ideas you don't have innovation, and if you have staff that are up to their eyeballs in stress, who are too scared to throw an idea up then you don't have any ideas coming through. A culture that is fun and embraces laughter breaks down so many barriers that it also removes the block that prevents contribution.
   Laughter creates that relaxed state in which people are not only more confident to share ideas but also more receptive to hearing them. Innovation is less likely when people are angry or stressed – these people tend to feel irritated by new ideas because it has the potential of providing a distraction, or worse still a change in circumstances that they are already struggling to cope with.
4. Laughter is optimal for learning
   Laughter makes the mind more open to new ideas, so it optimises learning. Psychologists and neurologists have known for years that anything that has an emotional component is more likely to be remembered than a pure list of facts without context.
   This is why we learn better when we find material exciting – the emotional element (excitement) really enhances the shift of new material from short-term memory into long-term memory.
   Interweaving humour with learning material works on two levels – firstly it breaks the learner out of learning malaise (which is that feeling you get after hearing someone boring speak for more than two minutes) by providing something unexpected, but it also increases the uptake of the information that accompanies it due to the neurological benefits of experiencing an emotion at the same time.
5. Error-based examples make us laugh
   Nobody wants to be the person at work that makes the mistake that everyone else learns from – but if we hear a tale of how someone else managed to embarrass themselves with a calamitous mistake we all have a chuckle and take the moral lesson on board.
   Someone running a "HUGE T-SHIRT PROMOTION" accidentally sent out a flyer without the letter R in the word SHIRT. Luckily, he had a good sense of humour the customers took great joy in calling him up throughout the week and having a few laughs at his expense. Needless to say that proofreading headings became an essential part of the workflow, not only for him but for anyone else who was part of the promotion.
   Anything that enhances self-awareness is a great tool for improving the performance of the team. Unfortunately, most do this through the use of fear, which limits mistakes but also robs people of confidence and self-directed action.
   The good news is that we are allowed to laugh at work. It isn't (always) a sign of slacking off, but it is actually healthy and beneficial for everyone in the office. Jokes, laughter and excitement should be encouraged, provided they are respectful of diversity and not taunting.
   
   

THIS STORY FIRST APPEARED ON SMARTCOMPANY

How Do You Communicate?

Too often we think of communicating as someone telling someone something...when in fact that is just talking!  If there isn't someone on the other end of that talking who is listening and responding we are just sending our words into the black hole of nothingness.

We've heard it said that two-way communication is paramount to success and nothing is more true than that statement when it comes to succeeding in business.  We laugh at the cartoon above but how often has someone asked us to do something and then when it doesn't get done we say..."well... I did ask you about...".   Too often we are quick to blame someone else for a dropped ball.

Good communication is both giving and receiving until the cycle is complete and the end goal has been either accomplished or changed.  In addition to exchanging information it's also about understanding that information.  I can sit and listen to a man speak German to me for an hour and I can respond in English and he can then respond in German and we can go back and forth but unless both of us are bi-lingual there will be no understanding and therefore no real communication.

In today's society there is no greater opportunity for miscommunication than right now.  We email, we text, we instant message, we do everything but walk down the hall or across the room to communicate with our co-workers.  But one of the greatest tools we have and what separates us from the rest of the crazy animals in the zoo is the ability to speak and to be understood.  

Effective communication is vital to the success of a business. It helps build trust and creates an environment where creative ideas and problem-solving are welcomed and encouraged. When there is no open communication, miscommunication or misunderstanding is often the result, causing conflict and frustration among team members. Heads of organizations need to understand that good communication and leadership is tied closely together. In this age of real-time data, we process a lot of information on a daily basis. The messages that are being sent through text messaging, emails, instant messaging and even social media platforms cannot be the only form of communication that we have in our teams.

Effective Communication Starts with Listening

Listening is an important skill to master. It's not just hearing the words that are being said but also understanding and connecting with what the person is saying. If you want to create an atmosphere where your co-workers feel valued and inspired to freely share ideas, then you will need to hone your listening skills in order to fully connect.

·         When conducting meetings, you must create an environment in which your team feels safe to freely express their ideas and opinions whether they agree or disagree with you. Make it a forum where each person can resolve issues in a creative way.

·         Do not interrupt team members when they are speaking. When team members are airing their ideas and you don't agree with what is being said, instead of thinking about your response, really listen to what is being said.

·         Focus fully on who is speaking. In this age where it is so easy to be looking down at our smartphones or checking emails during online meetings, we tend to miss out on important details of what is being said.

Sharpen Email Skills

Let’s face it.  Email is the most used form of communication when it comes to running a business.  As a leader in your organization, you will need to be able to manage your inbox in an efficient manner and train those around you to answer emails promptly especially regarding any customer related issues.

·         Train everyone to reply to emails in a clear and concise manner. Make sure to address the important key points in your reply to avoid unnecessary back and forth.

·         If you cannot act on a message or a request by a team member right away, send a quick note letting them know you will get back to them soon. Don't leave them hanging.

·         If there are documents that need revisions and team collaboration, use tools that can be accessed by the team instead of sending it as an attachment.

·         If a communication issue cannot be resolved by email, pick up the phone to make sure the message is clear and nothing is left to chance.

Manage Stress for Effective Communication

Being overly stressed can lead to poor communication especially when most of your communication is accomplished over email. Poorly written messages can easily be misinterpreted and tend to send misleading signals which can disrupt your capacity to think clearly and communicate creatively and effectively. Postpone communication or sending emails when you are stressed. Take time to calm down before engaging with your clients and team.

Remove Barriers In Communication

Effective communication can only become easier when team members get to know each other better.  Touch base once a week to discuss where you are, how you’re doing and what’s about to take place.  Share your ups and downs and share your challenges so that others around you can have the opportunity to listen and to advise (if needed).   For those employees that can’t always be on site hold meetings via SKYPE or FACETIME. 

Meetings don't have to be lengthy. Make it a priority to discuss goals achieved for the week and team objectives for next week. Encourage your team to call you directly when urgent matters needs to be discussed so that workflow is not unnecessarily disrupted. This practice is something that I found quite useful. It allows for fast turnaround in problem solving and creative discussion in real time.

Great communication won’t solve ALL of your team problems, but it does go a loooong way in helping to bridge the gap.  Ask yourself how you can improve your own communication style and then hop to it!!

Best of Luck,

Sarah 

Life: The Big Picture

Life is all about perception. What one person sees as reality may be completely different from what another person in the same situation may see. It all depends on how our individual thoughts, feelings, and behaviors shape our world. If we could only take a step back and look, I mean really look, at how we react to situations and interact with other people, we would learn so much about ourselves. It is in this self-awareness that we ultimately find happiness, living life in the "big picture."

It's common knowledge around here that I am looking to head to a different city and state to be with  my family.  It's been a year since I moved my mother and all of my possessions 1/2 way across the country.  It's been 4 months since I've actively been pursuing job leads and submitting resume after resume.  

There is of course that temptation to look at this one small facet of my life and think no-one is hiring, no-one wants to pay me what I'm worth, no-one wants to hire someone from out of town when they can hire someone right now.  The list can go on and on for days and days and my perspective can become one of negativity, self-doubt and blame.  

As mentioned above, life is ALL about perception.  If this is how I am going to perceive my life, the sum total of everything I have done and worked for then that perspective, that attitude is shaping my world AND not for the better. 

My life is my choice.  Can I choose whether or not someone hires me? No, but I can choose to learn and change from the experience and I can respect the fact that we may not be the right fit at the right time.   

In any situation I can choose to step back and see the big picture.  I can ask questions, I can share experiences and knowledge, and I can respect the decisions of those who had to make a tough choice.  My other choices include sitting back and blaming others, criticizing the process, and denying that there isn't something I can be learning and growing into as a result of this job search.


I am choosing to live Above The Line.  I am choosing to live life in the Big Picture.  I am choosing to be grateful for a fantastic job that allows me to work while job searching and supporting my desire to be closer to my family.  I choose to always be looking just around the corner for the right job at the right time who needs the right person (ME) and that it will happen at the right time.

How about you?  Are you living above the line?  Are you taking each experience and choosing to see it in a positive and helpful manner?  Are you living life to the full and seeing the Big Picture?
I hope you really can.  I hope we both really can continue to make changes and choices based on the big picture and not just our perspective in the moment.  

Are You Your Own Worst Enemy?

I love reading something that resonates and recently I read an article in Forbes that ZINGED me.  I just wanted to share it with you in the hopes that you can be the change in your own life to really make a difference in where you are going:  

The 8 self-limiting, negative behaviors successful people avoid are:

Engaging in “below the line” thinking

“Below the line” thinking refers to a particular mindset that shapes how you view the world in a limiting way.  It leads to your believing that what’s happening to you is outside your control and everyone else’s fault – the economy, your industry, your boss, your spouse, etc.  Below the line thinking says, “It’s not fair what’s happening, and I don’t have what it takes to overcome these challenges. I didn’t expect this and I can’t handle it.”  Above the line thinking, on the other hand, says, “I clearly see the obstacles ahead, and I’m addressing them with open eyes.  I’m accountable for my life and my career, and I have what it takes to navigate through this successfully.  If I fail, I’ll still wake up tomorrow exactly who I am, and will have learned something critical.”

Mistaking fantastical wishful thinking for action

Successful professionals pursue outcomes that flow organically from their current actions. Unsuccessful individuals attach to fantasies that may relieve them momentarily of their situational pain but have no basis in reality.  For instance, I’ve heard from corporate professionals who share, “Kathy, I really hate my job and desperately want to leave.  I’ve been wanting to write a book and become a motivational speaker for several years now.  What’s your advice?”  I’ll respond, “OK, great.  Are you writing and speaking?” and more often than not, the answer will be, “Uh…no.”  You can’t write a book if you’re not writing anything, and you can’t speak in public if you haven’t developed any material to speak about.   It’s critical to take bold action toward your visions, in order to create success.  Successful people develop huge goals too, but they crush them down into smaller, digestible (but courageous) action steps that they then build on, which leads naturally to the end goal they’re pursuing.

Remaining powerless and speechless

Successful people are in touch with their power, and are not afraid to use it and express it.  They advocate and negotiate strongly for themselves and for others, and for what they care about, and don’t shy away from articulating just how they stand apart from the competition.  They know how they contribute uniquely and the value they bring to the table.   In addition, they don’t wait to bring up concerns – they tackle challenges head on, speaking about them openly, with calm, poise and grace.  They don’t hide from their problems.  And they don’t perceive themselves as hapless victims.    

Putting off investing in themselves

I see this behavior over and over in those who feel thwarted and unsuccessful – they are incredibly reluctant to invest time, money and energy in themselves and their own growth.  They are comfortable only when putting other people’s needs ahead of their own.  They’ll make any excuse for why now is NOT the time to invest in themselves or commit to change.  They feel guilt, shame and anxiety over claiming “I’m worth this.”  Successful people don’t wait – they spend money, time and effort on their own growth because they know without doubt it will pay off – for themselves and everyone around them. 

Resisting change

Successful people don’t break themselves against what is or drown in the changing tides.  They go with the flow.  They follow the trends, and embrace them.  They are flexible, fluid and nimble.  They react to what’s in front of them, and improvise deftly.   Those who are unsuccessful bemoan what is appearing before them, and stay stuck in the past or in what they “expected,” complaining about how life is not what it should be and why what is feels so wrong. 

Honoring other people’s priorities over their own

Successful people know what matters most to them – their priorities, values, concerns, and their mission and purpose.  They don’t float aimlessly on a sea of possibility – they are masters of their own ship and know where they want to head, and make bold moves in the direction of their dreams.  To do this, they are very clear about their top priorities in life and work, and won’t be waylaid by the priorities and values of others.  In short, they have very well-defined boundaries, and know where they end and others begin.  They say “no” to endeavors and behaviors (and thinking) that will push them off track.  They know what they want to create and the legacy they want to leave behind in this lifetime, and honor that each day. 

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Doubting themselves and their instincts

Those who doubt themselves, lack trust in their own gut or instincts, or second-guess themselves continually find themselves far from where they want to be.  Successful professionals believe in themselves without fail.  Sure, they acknowledge they have “power gaps” or blind spots, and areas that need deep development.  But they forgive themselves for what they don’t know and the mistakes they’ve made, and accept themselves.  They keep going with hope and optimism, knowing that the lessons from these missteps will serve them well in the future.

Searching for handouts and easy answers

I can often tell from the first contact I have with someone if they’ll be likely to succeed in their new entrepreneurial venture and career, or not.  How? By the nature of their expectations, and how they set out to fulfill them.  Here’s an example – if a complete stranger reaches out to me expecting free help without considering what she may offer in return, it’s a bad sign.  Let’s say she asks something like this: “I’m launching my new business and wondered if you can give me some advice. I can’t pay you because I’m a startup, but I hope you can help me anyway.”  

From this one email, I know she’s not ready to make it happen in her own business.  Why? Because successful professionals (and those destined to be) wouldn’t consider asking for help in this way.  Instead, they: 1) understand that they have something important and valuable to offer in any situation, 2) are willing and happy to share or barter that in return for what they want, and 3) they treat others exactly as they would like to be treated. 

Successful professionals are respectful, resourceful, curious, competent, tenacious, and they figure out how to get the help they need without asking for handouts.  That doesn’t mean they don’t seek assistance when and where they need it , or make use of the many free resources available to them (like Score.org, etc.).  It means that they don’t expect something for nothing.  They treat others equitably and fairly and know they deserve the same.  Successful professionals realize that if they’re not willing to pay for products and services they want, then others won’t be willing to pay them (yes, it works like karma). 

They also know that their success is directly proportionate to the effort they put in.  Most of all, they understand there are no short cuts or easy answers on the road to success.

http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/advisor/successful-people--the-8-self-limiting-behaviors-they-avoid-184436770.html