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Why So Serious? Embracing Humor in the Workplace

Why So Serious? Embracing Humor in the Workplace

19th May, 2024

We've all been there—marathon project sessions that turn the office into your second home and colleagues into an oddball family you didn’t choose but somehow can’t live without. Yes, even those moments when everyone insists on quoting lines from old movies that nobody else remembers.

Remember the Joker’s iconic line from The Dark Knight? “Why so serious?” It stuck with me—not just as a superb movie quote but as a genuine workplace mantra. If Gotham's notorious villain can lighten up (in his twisted way), so can we, right?

Here’s the scoop: laughter isn’t just the best medicine; it's the secret sauce to productivity. The more we embrace jokes, shared laughs, and a sprinkle of positivity, the less daunting those endless work hours feel. Imagine replacing the eerie silence of a late-night proposal drafting session with a burst of laughter over a meme that perfectly captures the absurdity of your market analysis. I love it when some offices decorate their walls with jokes or pictures of famous comedians or their favorite Lego cars.

Let’s face it: if we spend countless hours with our colleagues, we might as well enjoy it. Lightening the mood can cut through tension like a hot knife through butter, making those long hours both bearable and enjoyable.

So, next time the pressure cooker whistles, cracks a joke, shares a giggle, or smiles, it might transform your workday from mundane to memorable. After all, if we inadvertently adopt our work desk as our new living space, we might as well make it feel like a fun place to hang out!

And remember, a little humor goes a long way—especially when you’re about to remind the team, yet again, about the upcoming client proposal deadline.

About the Author
Karim Salem, PMP®, PMI-ACP®

Client Relations Lead

Karim Salem is a Client Relations Lead with Meirc Training & Consulting, based in Riyadh. He holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical power engineering from Ain Shams University. Karim's application of classroom learning to real-world projects, where he has often served as a sole or principal leader, has consistently yielded innovative and successful outcomes.
In 2009, the British Council recognized Karim as one of the top 120 Arab youths for his impactful contributions as a GlobalChangeMaker® in community and country development initiatives. Notably, Karim made history as the first Egyptian to assume the presidency of a Rotaract® Club in the UAE.
Karim is PMP® certified. He continued his pursuit of excellence and expanded his skill set with a PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) certification. Moreover, he is advancing his knowledge and expertise by pursuing an MBA in Entrepreneurship from the EU Business School in Switzerland, Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia (UCAM) in Spain, and London Metropolitan University (London Met).
With a comprehensive engineering, project management, business development, and community leadership background, Karim is poised to continue making significant contributions to his field and beyond. As he navigates his role as Client Relations Lead, Karim's dedication to driving innovation, fostering relationships, and achieving results remains unwavering.

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