2008 Woodie Awards
Laughter + medicine= damn good business
JOAN ENDICOTT
Idaho Press-Tribune
Issue date: 8/27/07 Section: BizTech
- Page 1 of 1
I love the sayings “Laughter is the best medicine” and “Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.” We all love to laugh (the older I get the more I have to laugh at). Although we don’t consciously think of all the benefits at the time, we know it makes us feel better.
Along with the emotional and mental benefits of laughter, the medical field continues to document the physical benefits of laughter. Because it’s so good for all of us to laugh, we should make it a priority to incorporate humor and laughter into our work — with our co-workers, customers, suppliers, in advertising, etc. Norman Cousins, a pioneer in laughter research, said, “Laughter is an anecdote to apprehension and panic ... It creates a mood in which the other positive emotions can be put to work, too.”
He also said, “When you laugh, you are more likely to see the bright side of a situation and to have a more positive outlook, which ultimately promotes healing.”
These benefits clearly help reduce absenteeism, sick days, stress at work and the stresses people take home from work.
Although people don’t remember exactly what we said or did at the time we were with them, they do remember how they felt.
This is an important truth for businesses to reinforce with their teams.
What “feeling” do people take away from working with us? The answer to that can quickly determine whether someone wants to stay with us as a customer. If on top of meeting the needs of the customer, they remember the experience to include people who created a fun, friendly atmosphere, that’s even better.
Some of my best memories are of working with people who encourage laughter to be part of their culture everyday at work. It’s impossible for me to write about this topic without thinking of Bob McDonagh, owner of King Menus, whose headquarters are in Nampa (he also was founder of I/D/E/A in Caldwell).
He’s been known to help employees cool off on hot days by enthusiastically starting water fights in the parking lot (or snowball fights), putting “for sale” signs on employees’ cars, wearing goofy get-ups, leaving secret “gag-gifts” on desks, etc.
He will forever and always be one of my best examples (and role models) for encouraging a balanced atmosphere at work — for doing a top quality job while having fun in the process.
Although I can’t document this, I think Bob may somehow be related to Groucho Marx, who said, “A clown is like an aspirin, only he works twice as fast.”
Joan Endicott is president of Endicott Training and Consulting, based in the Treasure Valley. She is a motivational speaker/seminar leader, business/life-skills coach. She also does training and consulting for businesses in all areas of “people skills,” including motivation of team members, customer service “attitudes” and communication and leadership skills. For information visit www.joanendicott.com, e-mail joan@joanendicott.com or call 453-8056.
Along with the emotional and mental benefits of laughter, the medical field continues to document the physical benefits of laughter. Because it’s so good for all of us to laugh, we should make it a priority to incorporate humor and laughter into our work — with our co-workers, customers, suppliers, in advertising, etc. Norman Cousins, a pioneer in laughter research, said, “Laughter is an anecdote to apprehension and panic ... It creates a mood in which the other positive emotions can be put to work, too.”
He also said, “When you laugh, you are more likely to see the bright side of a situation and to have a more positive outlook, which ultimately promotes healing.”
These benefits clearly help reduce absenteeism, sick days, stress at work and the stresses people take home from work.
Although people don’t remember exactly what we said or did at the time we were with them, they do remember how they felt.
This is an important truth for businesses to reinforce with their teams.
What “feeling” do people take away from working with us? The answer to that can quickly determine whether someone wants to stay with us as a customer. If on top of meeting the needs of the customer, they remember the experience to include people who created a fun, friendly atmosphere, that’s even better.
Some of my best memories are of working with people who encourage laughter to be part of their culture everyday at work. It’s impossible for me to write about this topic without thinking of Bob McDonagh, owner of King Menus, whose headquarters are in Nampa (he also was founder of I/D/E/A in Caldwell).
He’s been known to help employees cool off on hot days by enthusiastically starting water fights in the parking lot (or snowball fights), putting “for sale” signs on employees’ cars, wearing goofy get-ups, leaving secret “gag-gifts” on desks, etc.
He will forever and always be one of my best examples (and role models) for encouraging a balanced atmosphere at work — for doing a top quality job while having fun in the process.
Although I can’t document this, I think Bob may somehow be related to Groucho Marx, who said, “A clown is like an aspirin, only he works twice as fast.”
Joan Endicott is president of Endicott Training and Consulting, based in the Treasure Valley. She is a motivational speaker/seminar leader, business/life-skills coach. She also does training and consulting for businesses in all areas of “people skills,” including motivation of team members, customer service “attitudes” and communication and leadership skills. For information visit www.joanendicott.com, e-mail joan@joanendicott.com or call 453-8056.
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