We all love a good laugh. But can that laughter help us in our career? One local career counselor thinks so. Humor is a great communication tool, said Becky Mentzer , and it creates a great work environment.
Mentzer is appearing at the Association for Women in Communication fall Workshop, Friday, Sept. 23 at the Illinois State University Alumni Center. The theme for the event is Pieces of You: Navigating Change. Mentzer's talk focuses on how humor can create a more open professional environment.
Humor can help strengthen the bonds between coworkers, said Mentzer. "It relieves stress and makes team work better. it's a moral booster if you're working with people who lighten the environment. It's not standup comedy. Humor in the workplace is sometimes just a smile or a laugh, or a groan and and eye roll. But it's just fun."
Humor should be friendly, said Mentzer. Used common sense and don't make fun of people. "You have the type of humor that is including and bonds people. And then you have the humor where people are excluded. and people want to make sure that they don't use that aggressive, hostile kind of humor."
