Laughter Padding: Using Humor to Navigate the Workplace

Imagine walking into your workplace for the very first time. You’re feeling a bit stressed in this new environment, lots of new people and you’re not too sure what to say or when. As the day goes by, you laugh nervously here and there. Sometimes to ease the tension of a situation. Other times to break the ice. This is what we call laughter padding, and chances are, you’re doing it too. Maybe without realizing it.

What Is Laughter Padding in the Workplace?

In professional settings, laughter padding isn’t just about cracking jokes or lightening the mood. It’s a series of actions many of us use to create connections, soften difficult conversations, and navigate complex dynamics—it’s the use of humor or lightheartedness as a buffer to smooth over workplace interactions. For instance, the little laugh after a tough comment in a meeting or a self-deprecating joke before presenting an idea. At its core, laughter padding is about creating ease, whether for yourself or those around you.

But here’s the thing—while it can be powerful, it’s important to understand why we use it, how it impacts us, and how to wield it thoughtfully. I mean, I have used laughter padding to hide the fact that I didn’t understand something during a meeting…only to be asked about it a few minutes later 😅. Talk about awkward!

So while laughter padding—the strategic use of humor in the workplace—CAN be a powerful tool, it’s definitely a nuanced 🏄🏾‍♀️ strategy as sometimes people also use it to mask how awkward or uncomfortable they might feel in certain situations. Especially early to mid-career professionals who are navigating the complexities of workplace cultures, leadership roles, and team dynamics.

Whether you’re a recent graduate finding your voice at work or a mid-career professional stepping into leadership, by understanding what laughter padding is, its benefits and pitfalls, and how to use it effectively across different contexts, you can leverage it to create a more engaging and supportive work environment.

But Why Does it Happen so Often in the Workplace?

It’s about fitting in. The theory of Social Identity tells us that we derive a sense of belonging from aligning with group norms. In the workplace, humor often becomes a shared language—a way to connect and say, “Hey, I’m part of the team”. I mentioned earlier first times in a new place of work and using laughter padding to soften our landing in a new environment. Well, over time, this behavior recurs and persists because it reinforces that sense of identity and cohesion.

For many, laughter padding is a way to manage perceptions. Impression Management Theory explains how we work to control how others see us. Some people have strong face features 😒 and getting into the habit of smiling or laughter padding helps to make them approachable 🫡. Not only does laughter padding neutralize the tension in the air, but it also softens our face and helps us project confidence.

It is critical to understand how laughter padding works—because when it’s overused or misunderstood, it can backfire.

Why Do Managers Use Laughter Padding?

If you’re in a leadership position, you know the pressure to keep your team motivated, aligned, and engaged. Laughter padding is a favorite tool for managers. There are upsides and downsides to using humor as a leader.

The Upsides of Laughter Padding

1. It builds connection: A shared laugh can instantly strengthen relationships. As Social Exchange theory highlights, you’re constantly weighing what you give and get in relationships.
   • When managers use humor, they offer an easily-accessible “social currency” that builds trust and goodwill among their teams.
2. It reduces stress: Deadlines, conflicts, and demanding workloads can make the office feel heavy.
   • Laughing as a team acts like a pressure valve, releasing tension and creating space for creativity and collaboration. Studies show that humor in the workplace can improve morale and even productivity.
3. It makes communication easier: Ever had to deliver tough feedback? Humor can make it less intimidating—for you and the person receiving it.
   • Laughter padding can help soften the edges of difficult conversations and keep the dialogue constructive.

The Downsides of Laughter Padding

1. It can undermine your authority: While humor can make you relatable, overusing it might make people question your seriousness. Power and Status theories remind us that leadership is about balance—being approachable without losing your professional edge.
   • I see that a lot with first-time managers. It’s challenging for them to find the right balance between being friendly and asserting your authority.
   • For those who were promoted managers from within their teams, creating a productive managerial distance with their former teammates is a real headache 🤯. It often comes with emotional pain 🥲 if they belonged to the team for a long time and have built strong relationships in that time.
2. It’s risky in diverse teams: Humor doesn’t always translate across cultures or personalities. A joke meant to connect could alienate instead, especially if it’s not inclusive. This is where organizational culture (the shared values, beliefs, and practices that guide how people in an organization work and behave) comes into play. If your workplace values humor, make sure it’s humor everyone can share.
   • In multicultural teams, it’s important to understand what is funny or appropriate and what is not for different cultures in order to find common grounds that make everybody feel accepted and valued.
3. It may dilute important messages: If everything is light and playful, your serious messages might not land. Laughter padding should enhance communication, not overshadow it.

How to Use Laughter Padding Effectively as a Manager

If you’re a manager, you’ve got a unique opportunity to shape your team’s culture—and laughter padding can be part of that. Here’s how to use it wisely:

• Be intentional: Humor should serve a purpose. Use it to break tension or celebrate a win, not to distract or avoid/tone down serious issues/difficult conversations.
• Know your team: Not everyone responds to humor the same way. Take the time to learn what makes your team tick and ensure your humor is inclusive.
• Keep it balanced: Pair humor with professionalism. For example, you can use a light joke to open a meeting, but shift to a clear, focused tone when presenting your objectives.

Why Women and BIPOC Professionals Tend to Use Laughter Padding?

If you’re a woman or a person of color in the workplace, laughter padding might feel like second nature. And there’s a reason for that. When you’re navigating complex hierarchies or biases, humor can be a way to equalize the dynamics. It’s often a way to diffuse stereotypes (in my case, “I don’t want to be the Angry Black Woman“), build relationships, or simply make yourself feel safer in spaces where you might feel outnumbered.

For example, a woman leading a meeting might preface a bold idea with a light joke to appear less “intimidating”. You’ve probably seen or read the plethora of media about the Bitchy-Bossy double standard applied to women in decision-making or influential positions. Or, a Black professional might use humor to counteract racial stereotypes, projecting approachability.

These strategies are deeply rooted in survival and success in environments that aren’t always inclusive of and designed for everyone to thrive.

But here’s the catch that I mentioned a couple of times before:

Laughter padding can also reinforce the very biases
you’re trying to counteract.

Over-relying on humor can lead to perceptions that you’re not serious or assertive enough, which can hinder your career growth.

Believe me: the “Bubbly Black Woman” is as strong of a stereotype as the “Angry Black Woman” is ! Even though I am overall a pretty joyful person, I am treading carefully with humor for that reason.

How to Use Laughter Padding Effectively as a Woman or BIPOC Professional

So, how can you make laughter padding work for you rather than against you? Here’s the playbook:

1. Be authentic: Humor works best when it’s real. Don’t force jokes or laughs—use humor that feels natural to you and aligned with your personality.
   • It’s also much easier to maintain authenticity over time that a work alter ego.
2. Set boundaries, set the tone: Laughter shouldn’t be your only tool.
   • If something needs to be addressed directly, skip the humor and speak with clarity and confidence.
3. Build allies: Use humor to foster genuine connections with colleagues who understand your challenges and can amplify your voice when it matters most.
4. Own your power: Humor doesn’t have to diminish your authority. A witty remark during a presentation can show you’re sharp and confident, not soft.

Be Respectful of Cultural and Individual Sensitivities

I alluded to this before: humor in the workplace is tricky—what’s funny to one person might be offensive to another. Managers and individual contributors alike need to tap (or hone) their cultural awareness and emotional intelligence skills! If your team has diverse perspectives, make sure your humor reflects that diversity. Some tips to keep in mind:

• Avoid jokes that rely on stereotypes, even if they seem harmless.
• Pay attention to your audience’s reactions—if your humor isn’t landing, apologize and pivot.
• Create an environment where feedback is welcome, so team members feel safe voicing concerns about what’s appropriate.

TL;DR – Laughter Padding: Using Humor to Navigate the Workplace

Whether you’re leading a team or finding your place, balancing humor with authenticity and cultural sensitivity is key.

So, the next time you find yourself padding a moment with laughter, pause and ask: Is this serving me? If the answer is yes, smile wide and carry on. If not, know that you have the power to rewrite the script.

Because your voice, your presence, and your leadership deserve to shine—laughs or no laughs.