What do employees cite as their most common grievance? Is it lack of a better wage, promotion opportunities, more benefits, flexible hours? Lack of appreciation is overwhelmingly the number one complaint, according to a recent study of the American worker. Appreciation deprivation is stifling the morale and motivation of the work force as much as anything. Why is there such a diminutive supply in today’s work environment?

Are your company meetings a source of inspiration, or perspiration? A shared laugh can kick off a meeting on a positive note by breaking tension, promoting teamwork, sparking creativity, and opening up a greater possibility for agreements. It could be in the form of a joke, story, cartoon, or an exercise. According to Dr. Kenneth Pelletier, there are only two human activities that create total brain symmetry, i.e. completely connect the brain’s left side (logical side) with the right side (creative side). Those two activities are – laughter, and sex. Since you’re not likely to start your meeting with sex, why not commence with mirth and laughter?

The positive impact that laughter has on our attitude, insight, productivity, and overall well-being is nothing new. Throughout history, clowns, fools and court jesters plied their trade not only to entertain, but to heal people, impart wisdom, and exercise diplomacy, acting as ambassadors to other kingdoms to build goodwill and defuse conflict. The court jesters pranced around the royal palaces with patented blends of whim and wit. It was their privilege to say whatever they wished. Usually a great ruler was encircled by flatterers, and only from the jester did he ever hear the truth. The jester’s business was to tickle the royal funny bone, divert the king from the tedium of his daily affairs, and offer a slightly skewed yet enlightening perspective on those affairs of the court.