*Ring ring*
“Hello! This is Chad in Core Returns. How can I help you today?”
“Hi, Chad. This is Barb and I’m calling to check on the status of the return credit for invoice 1507219.”
“Yes, that core has been returned back to us and a credit has been processed.”
“Is this core a good core?”
A quick glance at the photo of my dog on my desk, and it came to me:
“No, Barb, this transmission was definitely a misbehaver. We had to put him in time out…I’m only kidding, of course.”
*Snickering* “So, that’s back and we are all good then?”
“Yes, exactly. Anything else I can help with?”
“No. But thanks very much.”
“Not a problem. Have a nice rest of your day, ma’am.”
Humor has been on my mind lately. Recently at work, I’ve been participating in Lunch & Learn training sessions focused on growing and maintaining a YES! Attitude. And in two out of the three sessions so far, we’ve talked about humor and the importance of laughter. I’ve witnessed the power of humor, not only in my current job but in professional conferences, classrooms, and social settings as well.
My junior year of college is when I first experienced the power of humor at work. The class was Jonathon Saffold*’s Fundamentals of Business Law.  I will never forget that class; it was a riot. Every week, Professor Saffold would lecture on different principles by telling funny stories. I, along with my fellow classmates, were always excited to attend his classes because of his light-hearted yet relatable way to cover the subject matter.
Circling back to the conversation I started off with, why did I share this story? Although it might seem insignificant, a little joke helped me to strengthen the connection with that customer and put her more at ease when interacting with me.
Humor. Think it’s pointless? Think again. Whether speaking to just one person or a whole room full of them, humor helps grab attention, relate the message to the listeners, and get a point across.
Although advantageous to incorporate humor into many everyday interactions, there are certain things to consider before you crack that joke:
The audience
It is important not to make jokes at someone else’s expense. Instead, use yourself as an example, or something that does not have feelings which you could upset.  A few exceptions/gray areas when making jokes that single out people or groups of people are the doctor/lawyer jokes we all know or the use of a commonly known celebrity; these types of jokes usually come across as socially acceptable.  It is also important to speak in terms that the people listening to the joke will understand. You probably don’t want to talk torque converters, solenoid packs, or valve bodies with your dental hygienist.
The timing
In joke telling just like in life, timing is everything. It is always best to use a bit of humor early on in starting a conversation to set the tone or lighten the mood. If humor is brought into play early, you can always circle back around to that funny place later in the conversation to keep the good vibes alive.
Umm, but I’m just not funny… I don’t know any good jokes.
Bringing humor to a situation may not be everyone’s strong suit, but there are small actions that can help you get into the correct mindset for laughter. Watch or read something funny for at least 20 minutes per day. Pay attention to what expressions the characters use when they are delivering the lines.  Spend time with people who make others laugh – and notice what they do or say which produces that reaction. Spend some time people watching with a friend, or just by yourself. Pick a person out of the crowd and describe what their day is like. This simple exercise can be used almost anywhere, and can help bring out the humor in even the most serious person.
Effectively using humor takes practice. There will be times when your jokes don’t land and you’ll be the only one laughing. That’s ok. The silver lining in trying is that you’re taking the initiative to brighten up what could otherwise be dull. Every day, you can find ways to inject humor. And every day, you can give others a more enjoyable experience interacting with you.

In his second article, the COREderback shares why humor is a part of his daily customer service play. Do laughs have a place in your day to day interactions? Join the conversation below or email Chad directly. 
*Mr. Saffold was rated 4.5 out of 5 on ratemyprofessors.com