Highly effective project teams can achieve amazing results at work. However, when a team represents a wide variety of ethnic groups who are hostile to each other, the manager should know how to build a good relationship in a multi-ethnic team. Scientists claim that humor in the workplace when used correctly by the manager, improves the efficiency and productivity of project teams, changes human behavior, and creates a high-performance environment.
A sense of humor is among the most important qualities of a qualified project manager. A good manager, in addition to knowledge of the organizational and technical aspects of work, should master the key skills of working with people. After all, the success of any project depends on the well-coordinated actions of the entire team (Englund & Bucero, 2019). Proper humor is capable of breathing new life into a stalled project. Therefore, Brian should make a good mood at work a priority. A welcoming, creative environment is an important factor in the workplace. If the atmosphere is tense, unfriendly, toxic, or even hostile, productivity will be low.
Thus, Brian should create a cheerful work environment, that is, an environment in which people can show their best qualities. If he adds a bit of humor to his communication with the team, it will sparkle with new shades and will have a great effect. Humor will facilitate the overall interpretation of events, emphasize understanding between team members, and create a sense of equality (Englund & Bucero, 2019). A proper joke, understandable for all ethnic groups, can set off a chain of witty remarks about a situation, giving the participants a sense of unity within the team. It can also provide an opportunity to look at the situation in a new way (Englund & Bucero, 2019). Humor instills confidence in one’s strength when faced with problems or stressful events, and also helps to focus on the positive, rather than failures and difficulties.
Humor has a positive effect on individual and team productivity. A leader who knows how to laugh at himself is respected and loved. Humor can help reduce hostility, relieve tension, and positively accept criticism, avoiding over-escalating emotions. It can be used to present a situation in a positive light, highlighting points that help to remind everyone of common interests. It can help to reduce the negative effects of stress, allow the employees to relax a little. Humor encourages generating innovative ideas and overcoming challenges, as well as increasing team motivation.
Reference
Englund, R., & Bucero, A. (2019). The complete project manager: Integrating people, organizational, and technical skills. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.