Want to Get Ahead at Work? Start Joking Around

Back in school, being the class clown wasn't exactly the path to making teachers like you or to achieving academic success. But in the workplace, as a new study reveals, having a good sense of humor can boost an employee's professional status and pave the way for advancement. People surveyed about their opinions on colleagues perceived as humorous were inclined to rate them as more talented and more self-assured than more serious peers.

Of course, not all humor is created equal. The researchers found that while telling a bad joke might indeed make someone seem confident, it won't necessarily indicate talent. Only successful jokes, where humor is appropriately applied to the situation (kindergarten humor clearly won't cut it here...), make other office workers view the joke-teller as more talented at their job. Such individuals, the researchers found, also have a higher likelihood of being chosen for leadership positions at work.

"People tend to see humor as frivolous behavior. But that's not the case. Humor is a very serious matter," says Maurice Schweitzer, one of the study's lead researchers and a professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. The correct use of humor, the researchers affirm, builds strong relationships among colleagues and between managers and their subordinates, helps employees think creatively, reduces tension and stress, boosts productivity, and makes people in the office generally happier.

"Companies should consider the humor of job candidates before deciding whom to hire," says Schweitzer. "Every company has a specific list of traits based on which they hire, send for training, and promote employees. A sense of humor should always be part of that list."