How To Use Humor To Conquer Zoom Fatigue BY ANGELA DEFINIS
as Zoom Fatigue, will become more prevalent. Hop onto any virtual meeting these days and there is little doubt that Zoom fatigue has set in; even the most well-intentioned remote team is facing lower work stan- dards, missed deadlines, rampant interruptions by those on the call, and numerous home office interruptions. There is an acceptance of lower standards, often with a shrug. “What can I or anyone else do about it? It’s all so exhaust- ing!” That’s Zoom fatigue. But it doesn’t have to be this way. There is a secret weapon you can easily employ: Humor! From the old knock-knock jokes we told as kids to amusing stories that make light of the workplace, every- one loves a good joke. Using humor is one of the best ways to build rapport and get people engaged. As Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “A sense of humor is part of the art of leadership, of getting along with people, of getting things done.” When you add a witty quip or funny story to your
Working remotely is no longer something reserved for freelancers or those on special assignment. Many major
companies have said they plan to accommodate remote work indefinitely. In fact, following the pandemic, more than half of Amer- icans say they want to continue working remotely, while two-thirds of companies say they may make their current work-from-home pol- icies permanent. What does this
Angela Definis
mean for millions of employees? Namely, that virtual meet- ings are here to stay, and that a new phenomenon, known
virtual presentations, you let listeners know your meeting won’t be entirely dry and se- rious. Humor connects us and influences others. It helps us get our point across and adds perspective to even the most critical challenges. In your quest to battle Zoom fatigue, a lit- tle humor can go a long way. Here are 7 tips to help you create and deliver office-appro- priate jokes that tickle the funny bone, bring people together, and work well on any virtual platform. 1. Know your audience : Analyzing your audience is important for any presentation, but you have to be especially tuned in when using humor. In other words, tell the right joke to the right crowd at the right time. For exam- ple, you may have a funny story about your kids, but if your younger audience doesn’t have children, it will fall flat. Likewise, if you make a joke about a meme, the older crowd might not get it. 2. Explore a variety of humor formats : Once you know your audience you can se- lect the right format. Your “joke” doesn’t have to begin with “A lawyer, an accountant, and a banker walk into a bar...” In fact, forget the typical joke structure. You can be funny in numerous ways. Sharing an anecdote, using a quip, making an observation, and giving a witty response can bring a smile to even the most serious group and help chip away at Zoom fatigue. 3. Use the classic joke-telling formula : Once you decide what kind of humor to use, begin to craft your words. This is a two-part structure that includes the set up and the punchline. Be specific in developing the set
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December 21, 2020
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