The concept that interests me in chapter 6 is humor. I think humor in very important in any kind of relationship and that includes in groups and teams “humor uses the power of verbal communication to share messages, relive stress, support group fantasies, integrate ideas, support common values, convey messages and meaning to people, and help listener acceptance” (Harris & Sherblom, 2008, p. 113). All of these subjects are keys to hold a cohesive group together and create a positive atmosphere for groups or teams. My example is that when I am in a group and there is a humorous person who always cracks jokes about himself or the things we do, I feel more comfortable in the situation and I wouldn’t be hesitate to contribute more. If I am in a stiff group or team, I would still be able to contribute my part but it wouldn’t be a nice experience and we wouldn’t have a sense of unity.
Sogo,
ReplyDeleteI like to read your blog because the humor is one of my favorable concepts that I want to share with you. Harris and Sherblom clearly mention that the humor is to relieve stress, integrate ideas, and help listener acceptance. I really support the authors expressions. For example, my father had lunch with his friends in a restaurant many years ago in Hong Kong. After lunch, he was the one to pay the check but unfortunately, he forgot to bring his wallet. My father called me and asked me to come to the restaurant immediately. When I arrived in the restaurant and paid the check by cash as the restaurant did not accept any credit card for payment. At that time, my father said, "Kam is my live ATM machine who works twenty-four hours and seven days a week for me". I was so surprised because my father treated me as his ATM machine. Anyway, his words are full of humor in that issue. My father died in last August whose humor and images in that incident is still running around me. I would say, the humor plays the important role in small group if someone who is very embarrassing in an incident or discussion and wants to break the uncomfortable atmosphere.
Thank you,
Kam
Sogo,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post and I agree with you that humor is great to have in small group communication because it can help alleviate tension and also help to make a group more cohesive. However, I think that sometimes we have to remember that not everyone has the same sense of humor so you really have to be careful in choosing your words. In addition, I personally find it annoying when people always turn to humor when dealing with stressful or serious situations because then instead of helping the group; they only contribute to the decline of the group by hindering the group from reaching their ultimate goal. As with all things, there is a time and a place – including humor.
Sogo, I also agree that humor is very important while communicating. I think there is also a time and a place where it is appropriate. I think that it is a good idea to take life with a grain of salt, and if you can't laugh when things go wrong, your taking life way to seriously. I also become more relaxed when the people around me are cracking jokes and just being a little less serious. I have also found this to be a difficult thing while working in a group. No one likes when someone jokes around all the time or doesn't take assignments very seriously. But then again all work and no play creates stressed out people.. and that isn't good at all either.
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