There are different ways to evaluate how well a team fits together at work. There is the obvious measure of whether they get the work done that they are expected to do. What are their goals and how successfully do they accomplish them? Without that, other means of evaluation don’t matter much.
In addition to mere accomplishment of goals, however, is the evaluation of how well a team actually fits together as a group of people. Do they get along with each other? Do they like being around one another? Would they choose to hang out together outside of work? Do they come home and tell stories with smiles on their faces of what happened during the day or are they anxious to separate and put all thoughts of each other aside until the next day?
I’d like to suggest an indicator of a healthy team – humor. It is only an indicator because, for example, if the top measure above of accomplishing goals isn’t achieved, then having a fun time at failing doesn’t make for a good team. Since many of us spend more waking time with coworkers than those we live with, it’s important that humor as an important and healthy part of life also be a part of a work team’s dynamics.
Today I found myself just laughing out loud from time to time at work at the comments made by those around me. I work with people who enjoy their work, who do it well, and who enjoy each other along the way. That is a wonderful situation to have. I know I am fortunate in that regard. Such has not always been the case in my professional career. It makes for effective and enjoyable days when humor is a regular part of it.
Is it possible to have a healthy team and hot have much daily humor along the way? I suppose so. But I would rather have a healthy team with humor than without it.
Leap year lesson #117 is Humor can be an indicator of a healthy team.
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