CHAPTER 10Humor Is Not Always Funny

An employee shows up late for work.The boss yells, “You should have been here at 8:30!”The employee replies, “Why? What happened at 8:30?”

A sense of humor is a valuable tool. Humor can disarm, build rapport, break the ice, and create interest in a discussion, speech, or any written communication. Humor can also be divisive, disruptive, offensive, ill timed, and overused. The jokes, pranks, riddles, and witty remarks you use among your friends may not play well in a business setting. What you heard on TV’s evening talk shows and sitcoms may not be the best choice for your business interaction. It is important to understand the difference.

It is critical to abstain from humor that has the hint of damaging your ...

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