Don’t take yourself (or your career) too seriously...

“We will miss his professionalism, dedication, team work and sense of fun. 

“He has showed persistence, tenacity and humour (and some outstanding fashion/colour choices).” 

It’s always interesting to see your boss’ choice of words in a leaving announcement. But I’m grateful to see two colleagues reference the sense of fun. One of my takeaways over a career in very serious businesses, doing very serious work for very serious customers – is not to take yourself (or your career) too seriously.

The work our brains do to create humour requires us to find new and interesting connection between ideas – laughter often comes from a surprise or mis direction. That openness to new ideas or seeing things in a new light, is hugely positive for innovating or finding solutions to complex problems.

In addition, that sense of fun, warmth and humour is a useful step to building relationships, working collaboratively

I was amazed to watch a colleague start a difficult Employer-Trade Union meeting by using very self-effacing humour to completely change the dynamic of the room and signal her intent to change the relationship.

That said, not every moment is appropriate for joviality – picking the moment is essential. Straight out of college I made a joke as we set up a press conference (with some early arrivers in ear shot) and I’ve been, rightly, told off by a colleague for smiling too much during a formal government meeting.

Similarly ‘humour’ is a very personal. What makes you laugh may make another person uncomfortable. I’m not suggesting that the jokes you share with you friends at the bar or read online should be recited in meetings – more that the sense of fun and humour shouldn’t be left at the office lobby.

A smile, a well placed comment and bringing a lighter air can go a long way to building trust and effective team performance in the right environment.

Learn when to use humour, lightheartedness and fun as an effective way to engage others. Take your work seriously, but don’t take yourself too seriously – knowing when to bring a dose of levity is remembered. As is a poor fashion choice or two!