Friday, January 20, 2017

I’ve previously written about the link between humor and conflict diffusion (reminder: they’re both handled by the same part of your brain). Now, a recent study recounted in the Harvard Business Review shows that well executed humor will also make you seem more competent. The authors also reach three conclusions, the most important of which is “don’t make inappropriate jokes with unfamiliar audiences. Even when executed successfully, they don’t confer a boost to your perceived status or competence, and when unsuccessful they can do serious harm to you and your career.” In short, know your audience, choose your jokes wisely and break the emergency glass sparingly on “Dad” jokes like this one:

Knock Knock!
Who’s there?
Thermos.
Thermos who?
Thermos be a better knock-knock joke than this to end the week!

Factual Friday brought to you by Chad Harvey & The Result Center