1. Using Humor & Metaphors in Your WorkCPAD Darren Kaltved, M.Ed. Vic Massaglia, M.A.

2. "He who laughs; lasts." ~ Anonymous "Laughter is the shortest distance between two people." ~ Victor Borge

3. How Many Times A Day Do Adults Laugh?

4. 150-400 15 Laughs per Day 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Grown ups Children Fake Graph, Smith 2004 ;43 (2), Imaginary Journal

5. Adults Kids Laughs per Day Another Fake Graph, Smith 2005 ;43 (2), Imaginary Journal

6. Benefits of Humor Holistic Treatment of the critically ill & terminally ill Adds in defending against infections Good for respiratory and cardio vascular system – stimulates immune system Reduces stress One of the best devices to combat burn-out Nevo & Foster

7. How Does Humor Help the Counseling Relationship? (if you agree it does)

8. How Does Humor Help the Counseling Relationship? Building the relationship: it produces a bond between the therapist and the client. It also facilitates rapport and self-disclosure (Golding & Bordan, 1999). According to Maples et al. (2001) it helps establish a more collaborative and friendly relation. Increasing Communication and Attending: through humor, messages can be expressed in an indirect and less threatening way, allowing the client to attend and understand what is being said.

9. How Does Humor Help the Counseling Relationship? Changing Feelings: humor allows people to experience for a period of time a relief from their depressive or anxious mood. Changing Thoughts: humor allows clients to change the way they perceive different situations by giving a new perspective or through incongruity. Changing Behavior: when people are in a better mood they become more active, may try out new activities.

10. HUMOR’S EFFECTIVENESS:A “CLEESIAN” PERSPECTIVE I. Humor facilitates learning. II. Humor helps change people’s behavior. III. Humor promotes an increase in creativity. IV. Humor reduces stress. From the videotape “Humor Is Not A Luxury” by John Cleese, available from Video Arts

11. Five Things Humor Will Do For You: Releases negative emotions such as anger & guilt Improves enthusiasm for work Reduces inhibitions & increases self-confidence Humorous people face life's problems better Sense of humor is the #1 romantically attractive trait Kevin Lee Smith

12. KEYS TO THE SUCCESSFUL USE OF HUMOR Relationship Rapport Setting Timing Jim Winter - www.wavelength.biz

13. I. RELATIONSHIP Know your audience Make your intentions clear Tell stories with a purpose

14. II. RAPPORT Understand your audience’s feelings Should be laughing with, not at someone Obtain permission to tease

15. Funniest Resume Mistakes, Bloopers and Blunders Ever “2001 summer Voluntary work for taking care of the elderly and vegetable people” Candidate wrote resume as a play – Act 1, Act 2, etc. Under “job related skills” – for a web designer – “can function without additional oxygen at 24,000 feet”. One applicant for a nursing position noted that she didn’t like dealing with blood or needles. “Seeking a party-time position with potential for advancement.”

16. Funniest Resume Mistakes, Bloopers and Blunders Ever “Able to say the ABCs backward in under five seconds.” “Personal interests: donating blood. Fourteen gallons so far.” “Instrumental in ruining entire operation for a Midwest chain store.” Skills: “I have integrity so I will not steal office supplies and take them home.” Objective: “I would like to work for a company that is very lax when it comes to tardiness.” References: “Bill, Tom, Eric. But I don’t know their phone numbers.” Awards: “National record for eating 45 eggs in two minutes.” Education: “I have a bachelorette degree in computers.”

17. III. SETTING Make sure the humor is appropriate for the space Respect everyone within earshot Humor should enhance, not distract

18. IV. TIMING Allow time for the imagination to work Never rush a punch line Remember the non-verbal pathway to humor

19. KEYS TO THE SUCCESSFUL USE OF HUMOR Relationship Rapport Setting Timing Areas of Humor to Avoid

20. AREAS OF HUMOR TO LIKELY AVOID Politics Sexual Ethnicacial Religious Political Hostile Sick Demeaning to Men Women Graveyard

21. How Can Humor Be Destructive?

22. Guidelines for the proper use of humor in counseling There are certain considerations that the counselor must think of before applying humor in the counseling process. Some of these are: Observe the client student's mood to determine if the humor will be appreciated or not (Tichacek, n.d.) Start slowly (Tichacek, n.d.) Make it relevant to the student's situation (Tichacek, n.d.)

23. Guidelines for the proper use of humor in counseling Do not use humor as a put-down (Gladdin, 1995) Do not use it too frequently because it becomes boring (Gladdin, 1995) Use it in an appropriated time (Gladdin, 1995) Consider the student's sense of humor (Gladdin, 1995)

25. Try out other styles forms of humor

26. Tell stories on yourself

28. What Are the Multicultural Implications?

29. Prayer:God Grant Me the Senility to Forget the People I NeverLiked Anyway, the Good Fortune to Run Into the Ones IDo, and the Eyesight to Tell the Difference.

30. Take your work seriously --and yourself lightly "From there to here, from here to there, funny things are everywhere." ~Dr. Seuss

31. “Key metaphors help determine what and how we perceive and how we think about our perceptions.” ~M. H. Abrams

32. “Time is Money” What do you think of when you hear this? What images come to mind?

33. Metaphorical Thinking Metaphorical Thinking: A direct comparison between two unrelated or indirectly linked things. (a bridge between the new and the familiar) Can be used to improve communications: They can add impact or can help you explain a difficult concept by association with a more familiar one. It can be a good way to build connections because the human mind tends to look for similarities (Making Truth: Metaphor in Science, T.L. Brown, 2003). For instance, scientists will describe the distribution of mass in the universe as foam-like or that the earth is like a living organism.

34. As for career counselors, we also have the opportunity to describe career development concepts using metaphors – especially new concepts or ideas such as the relationship between dating and interviewing. Branding – branding products or services The world is your canvas, what picture do you want to paint? What other metaphors do you use?

35. How do we make this work? They key to instituting this methodology is to get students or clients to awaken their image-thinking part of their brain. Ever wonder why the word “Image” is the root word for “Imagination?” A word is worth a thousand pictures! Create a whole new world of perception, understanding and experience – a clearer meaning Einstein once said “I rarely think in words at all” Use physical drawings or pictures to create visualization Wikipedia or Google Images Don’t just stick with one metaphor…have alternates

36. Examples Software Development at Microsoft: Microsoft builds its software in conditions of considerable security. The software developers are large groups of skilled professionals who are kept separate from other employees under the authority of a senior project manager. HERE IS WHAT THEY ACTUALLY SAID… Microsoft…(builds its) software like cathedrals, in that a cloistered team of software developers work…much as medieval cathedrals were built by vast armies of craftsmen under the authority of a bishop or high cleric. WHAT NEW IMAGERY WAS CREATED IN THE ACTUAL STATEMENT? Images: Messages: Cathedral More Physical Cloister More Visual Armies More Romantic Craftsmen Less Bald

37. Examples Asked to use a metaphor to describe their careers, over 50% used the word “Journey” Words: Career Path Career Exploration Career Ladder or Career Plateau Progress, Climb, Destination, Map, Track, Journey, Path Fit, Match (Assessment-oriented) Phrases: Your career is a journey not a destination I want my career to be on the fast-track Interviewing is like going on a first date… It’s a roller-coaster ride It is like fitting a square peg into a round hole What about descriptors – the more the better. Remember your goal - to create understanding!

38. Resources Nevo, O. (1996). Uses of humor in career counseling. Vocational Guidance Quarterly, March, 188-196.Bordan, T. & Goldin, E. (1999). The use of humor in counseling: The laughing cure. Journal of Counseling and Development, Fall (77), 405-410.Metaphorical Thinking: Using comparisons to express ideas and solve problemshttp://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCT_93.htm Unlock the Power of Metaphorical Thinkinghttp://www.innovationtools.com/Articles/ArticleDetails.asp?a=188Promoting Metaphorical Thinking Through Synectics: Developing deep thinking utilizing abstractionshttp://facstaff.bloomu.edu/dwalker/Conference%20Information/IUT/Synectics.pdf

39. Resources to Get Your Started Article from Monster.com about Workplace humor:http://career-advice.monster.com/in-the-office/Work-Life-Balance/Workplace-Humor-Guide/article.aspxCareer Counseling "spoof" from GW Law School:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsnZQik4-Ys&feature=player_embedded# Silly Job Interview - Monty Python:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP0sqRMzkwoCareer Metaphors and Their Application to Theory and Counseling Practicehttp://www.virtualhabitats.com/Students/CareerCounselorWebquest/Career%20Metaphors.pdfMetaphor: A new way of thinking about careers (NCDA)http://www.associationdatabase.com/aws/NCDA/pt/sd/news_article/5132/_PARENT/layout_details_cc/false ThinkBlocks Tutorial: Metaphors and Similieshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tr0-kMlWJgw&feature=related

40. Questions?

41. Fun Videos/Resources http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asxUtX8Hyd4&feature=related http://www.laughterremedy.com/

42. Ever wonder what an interview at IKEA is like?