Putting ChatGPT's Sense of Humor to Work

Using generative AI to prompt self-generated content

(Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash)

Briefly: in my efforts to find work, I spent a lot if time in LinkedIn, and since I love to write, I decided to answer some of the writing prompts provided by its AI. (These prompts were always accompanied by the AI’s own responses.) The prompts were provided thematically, and soon I had enough responses that I could compile them into an article, sufficient at least for a blog post. This sparked an idea— instead of waiting for LinkedIn to give me prompts, I could use ChatGPT to do the same thing, on whatever subject I wanted.

To create an article on humor in the workplace, I gave ChatGPT an article written by the LinkedIn AI, and asked for a similar article, based on a response to: "You want to become an important part of your company. How do you can you use humor to carve out a presence that your company can not be successful without?" I next asked for a re-write using headers for each paragraph, and a total of six paragraphs altogether. I also asked for specific examples as much as possible, and to indicate that "the idea that humor is necessary may seem disruptive, but in actuality using humor is as important as using the skills taught in an MBA." Finally, after another response, I asked for jokes: specific, funny examples for a call-to-action in each paragraph.

The following is the final result. My next step will be to use these paragraph headers as prompts for writing a similar article in my own words.

Understand the Company Culture

To use humor effectively and make yourself indispensable, start by understanding your company’s culture and the personalities of your colleagues. Humor that aligns with the organization’s environment fosters connection and can ease workplace tensions. For instance, if your workplace values professionalism with a touch of informality, you might say in a meeting, “I promise this presentation is like a mullet—business in the front, party in the back.” This might seem disruptive at first, but humor is as crucial as the skills taught in an MBA—because let’s face it, making people laugh is as hard as any exam.

Balance Humor with Context

The key to using humor successfully lies in balancing it with the context of the situation. Tailoring your humor to fit the moment ensures that it’s well-received and enhances your interactions. For example, during a long, dry presentation, you might quip, “Don’t worry, folks, I’m almost done. Just a few more slides, and then we can all get back to pretending to work.” This kind of humor not only makes the presentation more memorable but also keeps everyone engaged—because who doesn’t love a good laugh in the middle of PowerPoint purgatory?

Problem-Solving Through Humor

Humor can be a powerful tool in problem-solving and innovation. In tense situations, a light-hearted comment can defuse the atmosphere, allowing team members to step back and reconsider their approach. For example, when a project is behind schedule, you could say, “We’re not behind schedule; we’re just operating on ‘creative time.’” By acknowledging the stress with humor, you can help your team refocus and tackle the challenge with renewed energy—because sometimes, the best solution is to laugh in the face of deadlines.

Keeping Meetings Engaging

In meetings, humor can keep things engaging and productive, encouraging participation and keeping morale high. If a meeting starts to drag, you might lighten the mood by saying, “If we finish early, I’ll throw in a free pizza—just kidding, but wouldn’t that be nice?” This not only re-energizes the room but also makes you the person who turns dull meetings into something people actually look forward to—because let’s be honest, a good joke is worth more than a dozen bullet points.

Humor as a Leadership Tool

Using humor strategically can elevate your presence and position you as a key leader within your company. For instance, when a project hits a snag, you might say, “Well, at least we’re not on the Titanic—yet!” This ability to joke about tough situations while still pushing forward makes you the go-to person for leadership and support. Just like an MBA teaches you to manage resources, humor teaches you to manage morale—because a team that laughs together, succeeds together.

Professionalism and Emotional Intelligence

Finally, humor should reinforce your professionalism and showcase your emotional intelligence. For example, when tensions are running high, a simple, “Remember, folks, we’re all in this together—like a very dysfunctional family,” can break the ice and remind everyone that we’re human. This balance of humor and professionalism will make you an indispensable part of the company, much like the strategic thinkers trained in MBA programs—except you’ll also be the one who makes Monday mornings bearable.