Being Ig Noble at work

Every year, the scientific community awards prizes for research and achievements that "make people laugh, then think". It is the 32nd year of the Ig Noble Prizes, as they are called, and this year, the awards went to researchers who:

studied the effects of taillessness on mating in scorpions (They jettison their tail to escape predators, can no longer poop, and die of constipation in a few weeks - but can still mate)

created a crash-test-moose dummy

investigate the most efficient way for people to use their fingers when opening a doorknob

looked into how ducklings swim in formation

developed an algorithm that helps gossipers decide if they should tell the truth or lie (which won this year's Ig Noble Peace Prize)

We know that laughter and engaging positive emotions help your brain encode and recall information as it releases yummy feel-good chemicals. So what's not to love about encouraging some fun and happiness at work?

Okay, there are boundaries. That person who thinks they are being funny but makes you groan, remember they are just reaching out the only way they know how. Cut them some slack. And it should go without saying that no one gets to hurt anyone in any way with something they think is 'just a joke'.

After the last couple of years of crisis, change and uncertainty, I thought it was time to go a bit more Ig Noble myself and put more laughter into my thinking. And that is one of the main reasons for creating my Make Work Less Shit keynote.

Tonight, I am doing a preview session with a group of friends and colleagues in Melbourne in readiness for the release of my humourous and thoughtful presentation into the wild. Nervous? You bet!

And while you don't need to go to this extreme, finding the fun or just being good-humoured goes a long way to greasing the wheels of productivity and supporting connection and wellbeing.

I'd love to hear about what makes you laugh at work.

#makeworklessshit #laugh #keynote #speaking