Employing humor has come back into style at work

Either employers are starting to worry that their workers will become too stressed in the current economic climate or some entrepreneurs are finding an opportunity to start a cottage industry.

Since the year began, I've seen several marketing correspondences encouraging humor in the workplace, something that in the age of political correctness has been discouraged.

But maybe employers are realizing a staid working environment where people's personalities are stifled doesn't do much for worker productivity — or their health care bill, for that matter.

Employees still are strongly discouraged from engaging in offensive jesting. But what's changing is the inclination to encourage using humor or good storytelling to help foster better communication at all levels.

As a way to help local employers lighten things up at work, Arts Council of Oklahoma City for the first time is including a workshop that focuses on storytelling as an art of leadership in its WinterTales festival next month.

Employees at any level — executive to entry level — can learn how to use storytelling to effectively communicate information to their co-workers, or in settings outside the workplace.

"There's an aspect of storytelling that's so genuine and coming from the heart that if you can perfect that, you're just going to be more effective,” said Lindsey Pever, WinterTales director.

For more information, visit artscouncilokc.

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