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Lessons on Leadership: No Clowning Around

Guest post by: Sylvia Lafair

Article Overview: The events around the world have a "what would I do" quality as we watch the rescue efforts in Japan. In leadership development programs a module on the many faces of fear is vital. Think about how you and your colleagues have been discussing world events. Is it in hushed tones with a glint of sadness in your voice? Is someone making silly comments that raise eyebrows and cause groans before they say "I was just joking"?

Lessons on Leadership: No Clowning Around

The events around the world have a "what would I do" quality as we watch the rescue efforts in Japan. In leadership development programs a module on the many faces of fear is vital.

Think about how you and your colleagues have been discussing world events. Is it in hushed tones with a glint of sadness in your voice? Is someone making silly comments that raise eyebrows and cause groans before they say "I was just joking"?

Do you work with someone who makes those plastic funny faces a la Jim Carey that can be really, really clever. "How'd he do that?" is followed by a belly laugh for a brief moment.

The clown at work was often labeled class clown throughout his or her school years. What is the role they are playing and how should we handle them fun and sometimes not so funny humor?

First, know that the office clown is playing an important role, especially in these days of over the top tension. They do their best to help us take a break from the stress of troubled times. Often in their families they were the ones to help parents and siblings avoid an ugly collision of angry messages.

Think about it for a moment. When stress is high a good laugh from the gut is a tension reducer. Even if just for a moment we feel better.

So, rather than see the jokester as an annoyance see the intent behind the joking as an effort to bring stress down to a more functional level. See the comments, even if they are kind of dumb as a way to keep fear at a distance so work can get done.

In fact, if there is no office clown, go on the internet and look for a few jokes you can share with your co-workers. It will be good for all of you. Taking a laugh break is good for your health.

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Article Tags: colleagues, japan, leadership development programs, rescue efforts, sadness



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