Dilbert Managers

I have to admit that Dilbert is my favorite comic strip.  It’s a sad commentary when a cartoonist can create such an outlandishly poor workplace with which so many identify.  If you are a manager, look over Dilbert’s laments and be sure that you are not following in his boss’ footsteps.  Here’s a great collection [...]

Be Careful What You Watch

I’m in the process of analyzing data right now that looks at TV viewing and workplace attitudes.  Part of that project is looking specifically at The Office.  We are finding that identifying with The Office leads to increases in negative workplace behaviors and increases in cynicism.  There were slight effects of just watching the show, [...]

Cynicism and Negative Responses

Cynicism is something that you have to fight.  I’m working on a research project right now with another professor, and we have found strong effects between cynical attitudes and how you respond to difficult circumstances in your workplace.  People who are more cynical report that they are more likely to quit their jobs, neglect their [...]

Humor, Dissent, and Organizational Culture

The idea of using humor to express dissent leans heavily on sarcasm in the workplace.  I recently had a group of students write a paper arguing that sarcasm can really poison an organization’s culture, inviting cynicism and damaging relationships.  What are your experiences?  Do you agree or disagree?

Workplace Humor and Status Differences

Humor can also play an important role between people who have status differences in the workplace.  For example, a manager might make a joke out of telling a subordinate what to do.  One reason for this might be to minimize the status difference, becoming “one of you.”  If the manager gave orders all of the [...]

Workplace Humor–You Have to Think

I think there is a lesson to be learned when it comes to using humor at work.  The biggest thing is to think!  Not just think, “will this be funny,” but also, “will everyone think this is funny?”  In the classes that I teach, I always invite students to share “bad jokes” on Friday.  Early [...]

Workplace Humor–Uniting and Dividing

One of the most interesting ideas to me in organizational communication is the use of humor.  Part of my interest is because I think I’m a pretty funny guy, but more than that, I think it is interesting that humor can both bring people together and also be so divisive (see Meyer, 1997 for more [...]