Why Telling Jokes at Work Makes You Appear More Confident But remember your audience.

By Nina Zipkin

Shutterstock

Studies show that when colleagues laugh together, it can drive productivity and innovation in the workplace.

On top of that, researchers from Harvard Business School and the Wharton School of Business recently found that people perceive those who have a facility for humor as more confident and competent than those who don't feel as comfortable telling jokes.

Related: Here's a Reminder: Laughter Makes Meetings Better

In one experiment, the researchers asked 166 participants to evaluate testimonials for a fictional company. The first testimonial was meant to be serious and the second one was meant to be funny. Participants perceived the presenter of the witty testimonial as more confident, and they were more likely to choose the witty presenter as the leader for another activity.

In another experiment, the researchers presented five job interview scenarios to participants, who read scripts of conversations between hiring managers and job candidates. In one scenario, the candidate answered a hiring manager's question with a serious response. In another, the candidate told a workplace-appropriate and successful joke (the hiring manager laughed). In a third, the candidate told an inappropriate and successful joke. The final two scenarios involved an appropriate and failed (unfunny) joke and an inappropriate and failed joke. For each scenario, the researchers asked participants to evaluate the confidence and competence of the job candidate in question.

Related: I Recently Made My Stand Up Comedy Debut. It Was Terrifying, But So Rewarding.

Based on the study participants's responses to these exchanges, the researchers discovered that while a stab at humor with an inappropriate joke makes the teller seem self-assured, it also makes that person seem less competent and of lower status than someone who tells an appropriate joke.

However, the researchers concluded that if an untoward joke is well received, laughter can soften the blow to the teller's reputation. On the other hand, attempting an appropriate joke will rarely, if ever, harm your colleagues's opinions of you. Even if the joke doesn't land, you will seem confident because you tried.

"Don't be afraid of a flop," writes study author Alison Wood Brooks in Harvard Business Review. "Bad jokes -- as long as they are appropriate -- won't harm your social standing or affect how competent people think you are. They may even increase how confident you seem."

To be successful in business, you must have an understanding of human nature and know your audience, and that skillset applies to comedy as well. While this might seem like common sense, now there is literature to back it up. The joke you tell to your best friend may not fly with your new client. Context is everything.
Wavy Line
Nina Zipkin

Entrepreneur Staff

Staff Writer. Covers leadership, media, technology and culture.

Nina Zipkin is a staff writer at Entrepreneur.com. She frequently covers leadership, media, tech, startups, culture and workplace trends.

Editor's Pick

She's Been Coding Since Age 7 and Presented Her Life-Saving App to Tim Cook Last Year. Now 17, She's on Track to Solve Even Bigger Problems.
Lock
I Helped Grow 4 Unicorns Over 10 Years That Generated $18 Billion in Online Revenues. Here's What I've Learned.
Lock
Want to Break Bad Habits and Supercharge Your Business? Use This Technique.
Lock
Don't Have Any Clients But Need Customer Testimonials? Follow These 3 Tricks To Boost Your Rep.
Why Are Some Wines More Expensive Than Others? A Top Winemaker Gives a Full-Bodied Explanation.

Related Topics

Business News

'All Hell Is Going to Break Loose': Barbara Corcoran Issues Warning About Real Estate Market, Interest Rates

The "Shark Tank" star appeared on FOX Business' "The Claman Countdown" this week.

Growing a Business

Subscribers Exclusive Event: Discover How These 2 Founders Turned Their Side Hustle into a Million-Dollar Lifestyle Brand

Learn how you can transform your personal brand into a thriving business empire with co-founders of The Skinny Confidential

Business Plans

How to Change Careers: A Step-by-Step Guide

Want to make a career change without compromising your finances or future? Check out this step-by-step guide on how to change careers to learn more.

Branding

How I Made Money From My Book Without Selling a Single Copy

Did you know you can make money with a book without selling copies? Here's exactly how I did it.

Leadership

Why Customer Service Is Your Get Out Of Jail Free Card For Business Success

These are the secrets of using customer service as a powerful business advantage, with exceptional results and almost zero risk of it being knocked off.

Growing a Business

Entrepreneur+ Subscribers-Only Call | June 8: Discover How These 2 Founders Turned Their Side Hustle into a Million-Dollar Lifestyle Brand

Learn how you can transform your personal brand into a thriving business empire with co-founders of The Skinny Confidential