Over the past 30 years I have found that one of the best ways to galvanize team members (especially those who are combative or obstructive) is through the use of humor. In fact, I religiously inject humor into virtually ever interaction where I am involved. To do this successfully three key elements need to be understood:
1. Your audience(s)
2. The culture(s) your are operating in
3. The immediate situation
Knowing your audience is always important where communication is concerned. And knowing what makes them smile or laugh can be as easy as just observing (and remembering) the small informal interactions that happen over the course of a project. Especially the interaction between individuals who have established relationships.
As an example: a running team joke was established based on the fact that the lead architect was often grouchy if she was hungry. This was pointed out by another team member and she fully admitted to the behavior. What''s more, she seemed genuinely pleased when, at unexpected moments - like during a tense and argumentative discussion - some variation on her "hunger theme" was introduced which diffused the tension.
Of course, some cultures are more accepting of humor than others. In long standing playful cultures, good-natured ribbing and shared history help to foster a light and stress-reduced climate. Here there is often no need to introduce humor into the equation because it is already in abundance.
In cultures where rigidity and seriousness are the norm, efforts to lighten tension need to take a more cautious route, lest they be interpreted as frivolous or counter-productive. For these cultures, I have found it useful to find a humorous touchstone from outside the culture. More often than not this is drawn from the behavior of a competitor.
Last, understanding the immediate situation is key to using humor in constructive and supporting ways. Knowing when laughs or smiles could be considered inappropriate is as important as knowing how to produce them. There are few things worse than trying to lighten a mood where the response is dead silence and ice-cold stares. So being situation-selective is a critical component of using humor.
I know I''m not the only one who uses humor to help strengthen team dynamics. What can you share on the topic? Saving Changes...
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Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
While the type of humor will depend on the culture and nationality I found that humor is the best thing to use mainly in those situations where the things go wrong and high stress. Saving Changes...
Thanks Sergio. I agree with your comment. And humor is also useful when things are going well in that it can bolster a team''s disposition toward the project in general (and possibly the PM in specific). Saving Changes...
saurabh mahajanPMP, ITIL, PRINCE2| vodafonePune, Maharashtra, India
I have experienced that humor has helped me in bonding with the team very easily. Team has increased their confidence in me to solve their issues which inturn has again helped me build trust within team. Saving Changes...
PANKAJ KUMAR JOSHIGeneral Manager| Transrail Lighting LimitedNainital, Uttrakhand, India
This is a good media to connect with a someone personally.
It can be utilized to improve the interpersonal relation, team building and team faith in you. However please be careful when you work in multicultural team. The timing of jokes is also very important. Sometime it makes a difficult situation easy but on the other hand it can humiliate somebody.
But ultimately it''s a very great tool. Saving Changes...
PARAG KANDEKARVP Operations| SoftNice IncAllentown, Pa, United States
I do agree that Humor play a role in having personal bonding within team. I normally refer this to informal discussion - does only have to be only Humor. I personally encourage "WaterCooler Conversation" with set limits. The Humor or Informal discussions has to be within limits otherwise I fear it may move in demotivating or negative or casual direction as well. Saving Changes...
Bruce Wilkinson MBA, PMPExpert Project Manager / Trustworthy Executive Assistant / Business Coach| goBRUCE Business ServicesCuenca, Azuay, Ecuador
You have stated this masterfully, along with the appropriate cautions! I too have found that humor is often a key component that pulls a team together.
Especially when forming, the team enters a sterile boardroom and there''s a kind of detached nervousness, then a team member enters, cracks an appropriate joke about himself, and suddenly everyone is chuckling and chatting.
When things get tense or the team hits a wall, it can often act as a kind of reset as well. Everyone is very serious and a bit agitated, inject a bit of humor, and suddenly the tension level has dropped and we can focus clearly again.
Thanks for reminding us of the importance of this very effective communication tool. Saving Changes...
Matthew BergProject Coordinator| NRB IncGrimsby, Ontario, Canada
As Steve Martin quipped, the most essential component of all humour is Ty-Ming. Those who know this joke are probably smiling now.
Touring with clients, reviewing with engineers can be enjoyable endeavors if the mood is agreeable and all parties are relaxed. These three points are fantastic guidelines on how to approach humour. The president of the company may not appreciate any kind of humour during your ten minute meeting with him, but the Lead Hand on the production floor would probably get a smirk from some well placed wit. So for sure, know the audience, know the situation, and laugh away. Saving Changes...
Humor is part of life and hence becomes part of the project. It helps the members in stressful times, to relieve the stress. An untimely humor may lead to stress and conflicts.Timing and dosage decides whether it is a medicine or poison.
A team entered a new conference room for a stressful meeting. One member pointed to a scratch on the table to others. Another member replied "Somebody has started from scratch!" and the whole team burst into laughter. Saving Changes...
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