Hello everyone and welcome back to my third blog post!
For my inquiry topic this semester, I decided to explore the role of humour in building connections. I believe humour is a powerful tool for fostering relationships in various settings. Whether in social interactions or professional environments, humour brings people together and helps create lasting connections. I have always valued the ability to make others laugh and see humour as a personal tool for strengthening communication, deepening relationships, and enhancing connection-building.
Conflict is something everyone deals with. It’s a natural part of human interaction, whether it’s with friends, family, or in group settings (1). However, what makes a conflict uncomfortable isn’t the disagreement itself, but the emotions that come with it. This includes feelings of stress, frustration, or even being attacked (2). In such situations, humour can play a vital role in easing tension, even though that is not commonly used (1). Using humour in tough conversations can help ease the tension right away. A funny or lighthearted comment can help shift the whole mood of the conversation (3). Humour allows people to feel more at ease, which makes it easier to talk things out without getting defensive (1). It tends to lower the natural hesitations and makes us feel safer opening up (2). Even sharing a quick laugh can change everything. People are less likely to take things personally, and more likely to stay calm and keep listening (3). Humour helps our brains reset when we’re upset and allows us to stay grounded (5). It’s also a way to show that we care more about solving the problem than “winning” the argument (2). In group situations, humour can stop conflicts from getting worse and help bring people together (4). When people laugh together, it creates a shared moment, making everyone feel more connected, even if things are tense (2). It also builds trust, and when people trust each other, it’s way easier to work through problems (5).
That said, not all humour is helpful. If someone were to make sarcastic, mean, or aimed comments, it can often backfire and worsen the situation (1). The point of using humour isn’t to avoid the issue or make fun of someone, but to lighten the mood and guide the conversation back to connection, not create more distance (3). The best kind of humour in these moments is honesty and kindness. If it’s coming from the right place, it can fix the emotional damage that conflict causes (2). It also helps people step back and see the situation in a less intense way, making it easier to find a solution (4). Humour is a reminder that conflict doesn’t have to pull people apart but can be used to bring them closer, eventually leading to growth (1).
Humour helps calm down hostile situations and brings people to a more balanced emotional state, which makes resolving situations much easier (5). Whether it’s with friends, family, or in a leadership setting, humour is a great tool for keeping conversations productive and people connected (4).
So even though people usually think of humor as just a way to make others laugh, it is way more complex than that. It’s a powerful communication strategy, a way to ease stress, and a tool for turning conflict into something more positive (3). In tough moments, a little bit of laughter might be the thing that helps us face problems (1).
Resources:
- https://www.helpguide.org/relationships/communication/managing-conflicts-with-humor
- https://yourdost.com/blog/2016/01/why-should-you-use-humor-to-manage-conflicts.html
- https://www.linkedin.com/advice/0/what-some-ways-use-humor-de-escalate-tense
- https://www.concordian.net/post/humour-in-conflict
- https://managementtraininginstitute.com/the-effectiveness-of-using-humor-to-defuse-heated-situations-or-confrontations/
