Enhancing Productivity With Fun & Pun At Workplace!

Incorporating fun and puns into the workplace can have a profound impact on employee productivity and well-being. Ironically, the activity of what we, as spinners, do is originally referred to as storytelling. So, let us tell interesting stories which will foster a positive and humorous atmosphere, writes Murugan Santhanam

“Call the ‘card’iologist!” Ishida exclaimed as he burst into my office.

“What?” I nearly jumped out of my chair, heart pounding.

“Card number 36 needs his immediate attention. It’s just pumping out impure sliver!” His face broke into a playful smile as he eased into the chair in front of me.

The surge of adrenaline meant for an emergency fizzled out, replaced by the brain’s production of dopamine, making me laugh heartily.

Summoning the carding supervisor, I introduced him to Ishida with a grin. “Meet the best cardiologist in our mill!”

For a split second, the supervisor looked puzzled, then he got the pun and joined in the laughter. With spirits lifted, he dashed off to tackle the problem with newfound enthusiasm. I was sure that in that happy mood, the problem would be a piece of cake for that supervisor, and he would solve it within no time.

This playful wordplay on ‘cardiologist’ and ‘carding machine’ not only had us in stitches, but highlighted the importance of promptly addressing machinery issues.

The situation would have been hostile had Ishida walked in with a stern face and complained about the issue at the carding machine. I just imagined how different the atmosphere would have been if Ishida had reported the problem with an angry face.

Ishida leaned back in his chair and changed the subject, “You know what? Your food is too spicy! I spun a finer count this morning!”

‘What’s the relation between spicy food and spinning fine yarn?’, one may wonder! But I chuckled, immediately grasping his humorous complaint about his digestive distress.

I replied, “Got it, Ishida san! I’ll have the person in charge adjust the mixing to suit your quality requirements.”

“Thank you. Regarding your offer, I would like to inform you that I need a compact price rather than a fluffy one,” he said.

“No, Ishida san! I have given prices for compact yarns only,” I argued.

He winked and smiled instead of replying.

“Oh! Gotcha! You need a compact price that is concise and to the point, without any extra charges, instead of a ‘fluffy’ price that is padded with unnecessary costs making it seem more expensive than it needs to be, right Ishida san?”, I asked him.

He nodded and laughed.

Our shared laughter created positive vibes that persisted even during challenging times, like resolving customer complaints. Ishida always approached such situations with grace and playfulness.

From him, I learnt a valuable lesson: to take our job seriously, we don’t have to be too serious.

My experiences working closely with the Japanese have shown me their unique knack for incorporating humour and fun, including puns, into the workplace. In Japanese work culture, puns (called “dajare” or “oyaji gyagu”) are often used to lighten the mood, foster camaraderie, and make the workplace more enjoyable. While I won’t claim this as a formal strategy for boosting productivity, it certainly contributes to a positive work environment, lifting morale and productivity in the process.

Benefits of Humour and Puns at Work
Integrating humour through puns in the workplace offers a treasure trove of benefits:

Improved Morale
Humour can give employee morale a mega boost. When team members share a laugh, it fosters a sense of belonging and camaraderie. This positive atmosphere can make employees feel more valued and appreciated, leading to sky-high job satisfaction.

Enhanced Communication
Puns can serve as an icebreaker, making communication more engaging and less formal. This helps in building rapport among team members and can lead to more open and honest discussions. When employees feel comfortable communicating, it can result in better collaboration and out-of-the-box problem-solving.

Stress Reduction
Laughter is the ultimate stress buster. Incorporating puns and humour into the workday can help alleviate stress and tension. This can lead to a more relaxed and productive work environment, where employees are more resilient and ready to tackle challenges head-on.

Boosted Creativity
Humour sparks creative thinking. When employees are exposed to wordplay and puns, it fires up their cognitive functions and can lead to more innovative ideas.

Caution! The Cons of Puns
Just like yarn, puns may spin out of control and can get tangled up. This will create confusion rather than amusement. Humour is subjective, and not every joke lands the way we intend. When a pun is sarcastic and unclear, it can lead to misunderstandings or even frustration instead of laughter.

It’s important to know your audience and gauge their reactions. Sometimes, a well-placed pun can lighten the mood and enhance camaraderie. Other times, it might fall flat or even disrupt the flow of conversation. The key is to use humour mindfully and be prepared to shift gears, if necessary.