January-March 2020

IN THIS How a Little Humor Can ISSUE How a Little Humor Can Improve Your Work Life Improve Your Work Life Laughter and jokes can make us happier and more productive on the . PAGE 1 Goals for the New Year PAGE 3 Make the Most of Leadership Opportunities PAGE 4

Be Happier The Claremont Positivity Center is an online resource that incorporates Positive Psychology and mindfulness self-help techniques to improve employee well-being in the workplace and beyond. Why do we laugh at movies like funny stories they shared remind us that a Visit the Positivity Center Space or shows like The Office? What’s so little playfulness goes a long way toward a funny about work? more enjoyable work life. For one student in the GGSC’s online The benefits of humor at work Foundations of at Work course, Humor creates an atmosphere of levity and humor is found in everyday faux pas. Steve a sense of perspective that can dissolve from California shared, “During a meeting, tension and, in turn, protect us from stress my boss complimented our colleague… at work and even benefit our health. More- saying how handsome he is. The team felt over, research suggests that people who Claremont EAP distributes this awkwardly surprised, until our boss cor- engage in more conversational humor with rected, ‘No—it’s great how hands-on he is!’ newsletter to provide employees colleagues feel happier and have higher with general behavioral health Everyone laughed, easing the tension from . information. If you have concerns the meeting. ‘Well, he is handsome, too!’ about these or other behavioral Laughter serves to create and strengthen I defended jokingly, and we all laughed health issues, you can call Clare- social bonds in humans—as well as in mont to arrange for assistance. again.” our chimp ancestors. One evolutionary You will be directed to an ap- Work may seem like a serious place. But, propriate, experienced profes- theory claims that laughter first emerged sional who can offer guidance in according to research, introducing some in these ancestors as a response to signal a variety of work and laughter into work life can contribute to safety and relief to others after something family matters. our well-being and . In fact, unexpected occurs. This has implica- For confidential help, call: finding humor is one of the practices we tions in modern times, and it may explain teach students in our online course. The 800-834-3773 why colleagues who laugh more together or visit: continued on next page claremonteap.com Page 2

January-March 2020 continued from previous page One study revealed that when lead- Often, they come from making jokes ers and employees share this style related to everyday work life. Melissa of self-effacing banter, employees from Oregon wrote, “My coworker tend to gain even more professional and I were getting ready to step out respect for leaders—a counterintui- for a cup of coffee, and she grabbed tive finding for leaders who are afraid a huge Big-Gulp-sized mug. We both to show weakness. erupted into laughter because it tend to enjoy a more safe or comfort- Still, there are some types of humor wasn’t that far-fetched at how much able environment and a greater sense that can be counterproductive, name- we both needed that much coffee.” of cohesion among teams. ly condescending humor that belittles We can also get more creative and “When friends laugh . . . in unison, people’s worth or status. This is dif- integrate humor into work tasks. Leif- their fight-flight response (e.g., ferent from gentle teasing, which can Arne from Norway shared, “The HR increased blood pressure) is calmed bond colleagues together and help us department had made their own rap and mirror neurons fire,” explains to not take ourselves too seriously. As during a leadership gathering. That Dacher Keltner. “Shared laughter our student Malika from Saudi Arabia was quite funny, and it helped loosen becomes a collective experience, one shared, “My coworker did a funny im- up the whole gathering.” of coordinated action, cooperative pression of me, and it really made me Even when work is stressful, find- physiology, and the establishing of laugh. It made me feel more included ing humor in the situation (if we’re common ground.” and that they know me really well.” able to) can help. Mariëlle from the Feeling comfortable in our work How to find the humor at work Netherlands wrote, “I was talking to environment can empower us to think One way to get more out of the funny a colleague about how much time openly and take risks—a foundation moments that happen at work is by the local government took to decide for finding creative solutions at work, writing them down. A 2016 study whether they wanted me to lead a contributing to our productivity. In found that participants who journaled project about shortening waiting one study, leaders who used humor at about three funny things every eve- times in youth care. Kind of funny it work were more likely to reach their ning for a week felt less depressed took them so long to decide, consid- unit’s target goals, and to receive a immediately afterward, and happier ering the subject of the matter. To higher performance rating from their up to six months later, compared to complain and joke a bit about it made direct supervisor, one year later. a group who journaled about their waiting for their final call less of a What’s more, when supervisors in- early memories. burden. It places things in perspec- tegrate humor into their leadership tive.” In the Foundations of Happiness at style, they become more likeable, Work course, we asked people to try Of course, humor isn’t always called while maintaining respect and influ- this out, and we took a close look for—particularly if it’s a distraction ence. One survey study found that at their responses to see what they from our tasks (as Jim Halpert’s from employees who say that their manag- find funny at work. While some funny The Office is) or keeps us from see- er “makes us laugh at ourselves when moments are out of our control—from ing and addressing real problems at we are too serious” or “uses humor to pen ink leaking onto our work clothes work. But in many situations, sharing take the edge off during stressful pe- to accidentally hitting “reply all”— jokes with colleagues and finding hu- riods” were more likely to trust their most funny moments can be created mor in the chaos or the mundane can manager, and feel a sense of belong- with a little bit of practice. make work a little more fun. ing and contentedness at work. Jessica Lindsey | | Greater Good Science Center

A hint of self-deprecating humor can also be a useful tool for leaders and For confidential help, call:800-834-3773 other employees to make themselves more approachable. or visit claremonteap.com Page 3

January-March 2020

Workplace Goals for the New Year

The new year brings hopes and dreams for the future. You’ve made your resolutions - to lose weight, exercise, plan a dream vacation, for example. Don’t forget, however, that you also spend one-third of your day at work. You can improve your on-the-job enjoyment and your productivity by making the following work resolutions.

Learn new skills The following energizing breaks take less Keep an accomplishment To keep your career moving forward and than two minutes: Count down from 10 to journal prevent burnout, learn some new skills. one, taking a deep breath with each number. Buy a separate notebook for an Accomplish- Investigate which ones you’ll need for a Read affirmations, inspiring quotes or ment Journal. At the end of the day, write promotion or for your dream job, then make poetry. Read a couple of pages of a book. the date on a new page and write something sure you acquire them. Make a resolution to Put your hands over your eyes and visualize that you accomplished. It doesn’t have to always be learning something new. a favorite vacation spot. Gaze out a window. be something major. Even little steps of Listen to your favorite music. Stand up and progress need to be acknowledged. Keep organized stretch your muscles. Doodle. Drink a full Most people don’t function well in the midst glass of water. Eat a healthy snack. Take a For example: “I dealt with Mr. Jones, a dif- of chaos. The clutter on your desk likely short walk. ficult customer, in a very kind and profes- distracts you and muddles your thinking. sional way.” “I wrote two pages of a special Structure your time If your office is disorganized, the time you report.” spend getting organized will be paid back in Are you wasting time taking care of things Writing such a journal increases your enthu- less stress and increased productivity. that just aren’t important? If so, you’ll be siasm as you look for things to accomplish frustrated when you fritter away your work- Make a resolution to spend the last 15 and write in your journal. Your focus will be days doing things your boss would consider on what you did instead of what you didn’t minutes of every day clearing your desk and insignificant. getting organized for the next day. do. Keeping the journal will also give you The solution is to block off one or two hours more confidence during employee reviews or Take daily breaks of quiet time each day that you spend focus- when asking for a promotion. Human beings aren’t built to sit at a desk ing on your important tasks. Since most One last thought: When you follow through for hours at a stretch -- that’s why the coffee people concentrate best in the morning, on your work resolutions and make them break was invented. But, there are better choose your quiet time early in the day. Then daily habits, you’ll experience increased ways to use your breaks -- quick, simple transfer your calls to your voice mail and put productivity, more energy and enthusiasm techniques that rejuvenate the body, mind a “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door. and the joy of accomplishment. and spirit so you can return to work refreshed Make a resolution to set aside quiet time The StayWell Company, LLC ©2019 and ready to accomplish great things. every day to work on your important projects.

Claremont EAP can help with all of these choices! Call: 800-834-3773 or visit claremonteap.com Page 4

January-March 2020

Make the Most of Leadership Opportunities

Leadership opportunities at work can Look for problems to solve “Each person needs to know his or her vision crop up unexpectedly. They’re unpre- The employee who wants to create lead- of what superior looks like. Without a clear dictable and sometimes blend in with ership opportunities actually looks for vision, results are limited,” says Ms. Em- the surroundings so they can easily get problems to solve -- whether the problems merich. “By having a vision, every employee overlooked. are task-related or about office morale. at work has the opportunity to be a leader.” “Leadership isn’t a position, it’s a way When you work with the mind-set of making Improve relationships of being. It’s about seeing what isn’t improvements, you’re thinking like a leader. Every employee can be a leader by improving there and making it happen,” says Rox- You may have ideas that will make your work employee relationships. anne Emmerich, C.S.P., C.M.C., author more efficient. When you take those ideas When you avoid , sarcasm and nega- of “Thank God It’s Monday: How to Build and ask for permission to implement them, tive comments, and substitute encourage- a Motivating Workplace.” you’re creating your own leadership opportu- ment, appreciation and cheery greetings, Ms. Emmerich offers the following sug- nity -- and an opportunity to be noticed for you’re making the most of a leadership gestions on how to make the most of your innovative ideas. opportunity. You’ll be a role model to others, your leadership opportunities. Give 100 percent and you’ll be rewarded with the trust of your As an employee, you can take advantage of coworkers. Do the extraordinary an often overlooked leadership opportunity: The truth is, no matter what your position, To be a leader often means to have extraor- giving 100 percent effort to your work. Act you can act like a leader. dinary thoughts and to do extraordinary as if you were stranded in the ocean and “When you seek solutions to problems, things. The word “extraordinary” is a your one thought was to save yourself by encourage positive combination of two words that mean “more getting to shore. and do extraordinary work, you’re making than the ordinary.” Ordinary employees Ordinary employees may give 70 percent or the most of leadership opportunities,” Ms. follow directions, do what they’re told to do even 80 percent effort, but leaders consis- Emmerich says. “You’ll be noticed for your and put in a good day’s work. They have the tently go the extra mile and give 100 percent efforts, and you may even be considered for mind-set of, “This is the way we’ve always on the job. a leadership position. Best of all, though, done it, so this is the way I’ll keep doing it.” you’ll be happier and more fulfilled at work.” Have a vision “Every one of us really wants to be extraor- The StayWell Company, LLC ©2019 dinary,” says Ms. Emmerich. “The problem Finding leadership opportunities requires a is we surround ourselves with excuses for vision. Just like the architect who designs a mediocrity, and we begin to believe it’s the superior building, you can design superior For confidential help, call: 800-834-3773 way to be.” ways to do your ordinary work. or visit claremonteap.com