Hard-working humour: can being funny aid your career?

Someone asked me recently what my best quality is. It's funny - when someone asks you to compliment yourself, your mind suddenly draws a blank. While the world continuously preaches self-love as the key to lifelong happiness, the threat of rating yourself a little too highly often tips the scales. Eventually, I managed to fumble together a few sentences concluding that I'm pretty good with people and I sometimes manage to squeeze a laugh or two out of those around me. But could pulling out the one-liners at the staff Christmas party and relaying anecdotes that crack the hard exterior of the big boss help you secure that promotion?

Who doesn't love to laugh? Having studied Psychology (yes, it's a real 'ology' - don't come for me) and written an ironically stressful dissertation about emotional resilience, I can relay multiple studies that highlight the physical and mental health benefits of a good old splitting of one's sides. A little giggle triggers the release of the sort after feel-good endorphins to give you that post-run feeling without the calf cramp or beetroot complexion. Now, I'm not here to tell you laughing can miraculously cure diseases or have all your worries melt away (although some will preach it until they're blue in the face), but it has been proven that laughter increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies as well as increasing the blood flow to that little ticker of yours. All good stuff right? Can it also put you ahead in the workplace? I reckon so.

How many times have you heard the question 'so, what are you looking for in a partner?' answered longingly with 'just someone who can make me laugh'? We are drawn towards those who make us feel good, radiate positivity and have the ability to spread an ear-to-ear grin across the face of those lucky enough to catch the morning narrative leant up against the coffee machine. Whether it's a Tim Vine special that elicits an eye-roll-accompanied smirk or a quick-witted sweeper that catches the recipient off-guard, the ability to respond humorously evokes confidence and creativity. In a study entitled "Risky Business: When Humor Increases and Decreases Status" being funny was said to increase perceived competence as well as boosting the morale of your colleagues. Who doesn't want to be the person everyone wants to be around? If people enjoy working with you then it only seems fitting that you'd be the optimum candidate to drive a united-front to company success.

I don't know about you but I can't say I've ever come away from a conversation brimming with quip and witticism and thought to myself 'Gosh, I hope I never run in to that wiseguy again!' Humour is humanizing; it promotes feelings of trust, approachability and if nothing else, a indication there's more to you than KPIs and corporate jargon. If you're frequently being identified as the person in the office who always has something sharp to say to break up the daily monotony of boardroom meetings, you may start to notice your name crops up around the office more than others. How does the saying go: all press is good press? Particularly if the press is, in fact, good press (take note, Trump).

Everyone remembers the Friends' episode where Chandler battles his satire ways to find the balance between relatable co-worker and ball-busting manager, right? Why not do both? Be the crowd-pleasing, rib-tickling comedian but know your audience and keep it appropriate. There's nothing worse than pushing your luck with a tumbleweed-inducing 'too far?' number the office will associate you with for years to come. There's a time and a place for well-executed comedy and to disassociate it with professionalism is a disservice to all things funny. Beguile your boss and bring home the bacon but maybe leave the squirting flower at home!