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The website “The Conversation” has an article called, “Why You Seriously Need to STOP Trying to Be Funny at Work.” They say it can backfire, and comes with two big risks.
Folks who use humor EFFECTIVELY at work can end up being seen as more confident, and more competent. So it can be tempting to try.
But when jokes fall flat, the negative effects can be even more drastic. The two big risks are you can end up looking less credible, and lose people’s respect.
They claim there are two main things that makes a GOOD workplace joke work: It should be unexpected, or seem like it “breaks the rules” in some way. But it also has to come across as harmless.
If what you say isn’t edgy at all, you’ll seem boring. But if you’re too edgy, you might offend people, and that’s even worse. Unfair, but they say WOMEN tend to be judged even more harshly for jokes that don’t land.
Even jokes that DO work can sometimes backfire. One study found bosses who joke around too much . . . even if they’re funny . . . can end up pushing employees to pretend they’re constantly amused. And that can cause burnout.
If you feel like you’re the “funny one” at work, and people really seem like they dig your material, feel free to keep doing what you’re doing. Just don’t force it.
In general, the risks of being funny at work tend to outweigh the benefits. Sure, a good joke might get a laugh . . . but a bad one might get you fired.
