An AI-generated illustration (DALL·E, March 2025)
Bea Bincze PCC, ACTC, DTM
I help people be more successful and healthy using humor and flow by choice. Executive Coach, Speech Coach, Mentor,
Imagine walking into a workplace where people feel free to crack a joke, share a laugh, and still get things done like rockstars. Now, imagine the opposite—where every word is measured, every interaction is stiff, and laughter is as rare as a unicorn in a corporate meeting. Which one sounds like a place where you’d thrive?
If you chose the fun one (and let’s be honest, who wouldn’t?), then congratulations—you’ve just tapped into the powerful link between humor and psychological safety at work!
Psychological Safety: The “It’s OK to Speak Up” Factor
Coined by Harvard professor Amy Edmondson, psychological safety is the magic ingredient that makes teams innovative, collaborative, and, most importantly, happy. It’s the belief that you can voice ideas, admit mistakes, and ask questions without being side-eyed or put on an unspoken blacklist. And guess what? Humor plays a massive role in making that happen!
How Humor Fuels Psychological Safety (And Why You Should Care)
Humor isn’t just about cracking jokes; it’s a social superglue that builds trust, lowers stress, and makes people feel comfortable. Let’s break it down with some key findings:
1. Laughter = Creativity Boost
When people laugh, their brains release dopamine, which enhances creativity and problem-solving. In fact, workplaces encouraging humor see a higher rate of innovation and “out-of-the-box” thinking (Atlassian).
So, that lighthearted pun in the brainstorming session? It may lead to the next big idea!
2. Stress? What Stress?
Work is stressful. Deadlines, performance reviews, and endless emails can weigh on employees. But humor acts as a natural stress reliever by reducing cortisol levels. Research shows that employees who work in fun, laughter-filled environments have better resilience and mental well-being (CUPA-HR).
3. The Trust Factor: Bonding Through Banter
Humor creates social bonding. And I believe that this is a very important element in work. I am sure that you can point out some people with whom you always feel good and can laugh together. And probably the opposite too.
You know what’s funny? Well, maybe not funny is the right word. Sometimes I go to a company and nobody laughs. I knew right away that there was some problem with trust and psychological safety. If you can laugh together, you do not need to worry all the time about what the reaction will be. And the sad thing is that laughing together creates trust, but just where it would be most needed, people do not dare to laugh.
Humor is a team sport. Multiple studies showed that people are 30 times more likely to laugh in social settings than when they are alone. People laugh when they are comfortable with one another, when they feel open and free. And the more laughter there is, the more bonding occurs within the group. What is the secret of using humor positively? Laugh with them, not at them.
4. The Leadership Effect: Funny Bosses Win
Leaders who incorporate humor into their communication are seen as more approachable, trustworthy, and engaging (Kathy Glotz-Guest, LinkedIn Learning).
Kathy Klotz-Guest MA, MBA, in her LinkedIn Learning course, shares some key humor strategies for leaders:
- Use humor to lighten difficult conversations and build bridges between team members.
- Self-deprecating humor can make leaders more relatable and approachable.
- Encourage spontaneous laughter through informal interactions like coffee breaks or quick-witted Slack messages.
How to Make Your Workplace a Humor Haven
So how do you turn your workplace into a psychologically safe, laughter-friendly environment? Here’s the game plan:
1. Set the Tone (Leaders, This One’s for You!)
If leaders use humor—appropriately, of course—employees will follow suit. Show vulnerability, laugh at your own mistakes, and create an atmosphere where humor isn’t frowned upon but encouraged.
2. Create “Safe” Laugh Zones
Encourage non-offensive humor in team meetings, Slack channels, or even company newsletters. (Think: “Meme of the Week” or “Joke Fridays.”)
3. Team-Building, But Make It Fun
Host improv sessions, comedy workshops, or even lighthearted roast sessions where employees can playfully poke fun at office quirks.
4. Recognize & Celebrate Humor
If someone brings joy to the workplace, give them a shout-out! Acknowledge and reward those who contribute to a positive, laughter-filled culture.
5. Keep It Inclusive & Respectful
Not all humor is created equal. Train employees on humor styles (Wikipedia)—affiliative humor (friendly and uplifting) is great, but aggressive or sarcastic humor? Not so much.
Final Thoughts: A Laughing Workplace is a Thriving Workplace
When humor and psychological safety come together, magic happens. Employees feel happier, ideas flow freely, and teams perform at their best.
So, the next time you hear laughter in the office, don’t shush it—embrace it. It might just be the sound of a thriving, high-performing, psychologically safe workplace!
📢 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going!
Do you use humor in the workplace? Have you experienced an office where laughter was either encouraged or frowned upon? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
📩 If you want to learn more about how humor can enhance leadership and team dynamics, let’s connect!
🔗 References
This article was first published on LinkedIn on March 15, 2025
Leave a Reply