I'm not saying acting like a total jack a** or anything, just cracking up the people in your office from time to time in meetings or lunches. I thought about this after I told a joke (clean and not insensitive in any way) and cracked up my boss and everyone at the meeting. I love making people laugh, but could it hurt my career?
2006-12-29 06:42:15 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
FYI, I'm in accounting and very productive part of the team. Plus my boss has a great sense of humor.
2006-12-29 06:55:35 · update #1
I think that as long as it is in good taste, does not offend anyone, laughter is essential in the daily bowels of business. If no one pulls you to the side and you don't take it too far, like every single time at office meetings and briefings, you feel as if you have to defend your crown as the office comedian you should be ok.
Most firms sort of rely on at least one person to keep things a little lite during meetings and office functions. Be careful when guest are around, they might not preceive your humor as something they want in their boardroom.
Over all I would say go full stream ahead, just remember if the company just lost 30 million dollars and you want to tell a joke about the office scammer that just took his company for 20 million that might not go over too big and you might find yourself being escorted from the board room.
I hope this has been of some use to you, good luck.
"FIGHT ON"
2006-12-29 06:50:15 · answer #1 · answered by Skip 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As any good stand up comic can tell you, whenever you tell a joke, you have to figure out if it's the right situation for a joke. Remember, you're catering to an "audience" (ie..the joke appropriateness to the situation). Also, how will your audience handle what you tell. Are they uptight "ie..a tough crowd" or are they the kind with a good sense of humor.
Same applies outside of the stage.
If you're in a serious meeting, well..then might not be the best time for a joke, even if it's based on what you're talking about.
Know your crowd. Over doing it can put a strain on things. Just as once in a while might can liven up a stressful time. Again, it all depends on timing. That's going to be a constant guessing act.
If your boss has no objections to a little laughter, that's cool, but remember...don't over do it.
2006-12-29 06:56:11 · answer #2 · answered by Voice 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This depends on whether the people in your office have a sense of humor!
Seriously, a joke now and then can't hurt as long as it's tasteful and isn't made at anyone else's expense. Also, make sure your attempts to cut up don't interrupt the normal flow of work.
2006-12-29 06:45:10 · answer #3 · answered by Jeff 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It shouldn't hurt your career if you are a productive member of your company. (You didn't say what you did). It may even be helpful, like if you are a sales rep, your personality can put people at ease and endear yourself to them, thus increasing sales. But if you goof off instead of working, then they will think you are just a goofball, not to be taken seriously. My advice: know when and where to crack jokes.
2006-12-29 06:49:16 · answer #4 · answered by nbxrox 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think it could be both good and bad. It is be good to be known as a fun likeable person but it isn't good to be known as the person who is never serious or who can never be taken seriously. Humor, like anything , is good in moderation.
2006-12-29 07:13:18 · answer #5 · answered by Soramdara 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can really help but dont go overboard because people will then say all you do is goof off. Think about it this way though, would you rather work with a hard *** or someone fun who makes the environment around them fun?
2006-12-29 06:47:26 · answer #6 · answered by DJ C 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
For me, I have to watch cracking jokes that make me look worse in the eyes of coworkers. (Examples - self deprecatory comments, pretending I don't know a simple answer, etc.)
Someone once said, better keep your mouth shut and be thought of a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
Sage words, dude....
2006-12-29 06:46:51 · answer #7 · answered by cory m 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If your a good worker and have a great sense of humor people will look on you in a favorable light, but if your a joker and a not so good worker it will hurt you.
2006-12-29 06:46:03 · answer #8 · answered by Frank R 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
personally i don;t think cracking a few jokes will hurt your career provided it is done in an appropriate way.
2006-12-29 06:46:59 · answer #9 · answered by owara l 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Both. It can make work less stressful, but if you go over the top it can make noone get any work done cuz they are laughing so much.
2006-12-29 06:46:06 · answer #10 · answered by Kat. 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋