Why Laughter Is a Key to Success, Especially at Creative Agencies

“A day without laughter is a day wasted.” —Charlie Chaplin

At Trailer Park, we believe in the power of energy. One of our core values is “Own Your Energy.” Having managed many teams in my career, I believe each individual has a responsibility to build and participate in a dynamic work environment. Companies are a reflection of the individuals that comprise them, and part of being successful at work and in life is knowing how to have a good time regardless of the circumstances. 

I’ve always been known as the loudest person in the room, and people can hear me laughing down the hallways. In fact, I can confidently say I’ve laughed my way up the career ladder and this trait has served me well. Working at a creative agency requires teamwork and the ability to collaborate with a lot of different personalities, client needs, deliverables and deadlines. 

Why is laughter important?

From serving as a natural defense against illness and counteracting depression to enhancing problem-solving skills and learning resilience, there are many benefits of laughter across all areas of our well-being. Laughter also has social benefits, enabling us to create strong shared bonds across cultures, including better communications, cooperation and empathy. These interpersonal skills are so important to have, whether you’re working in or running a global creative agency. In fact, it’s so important that “laughter therapy” even exists today. 

A study done by City University of London found the average meeting contains 13 instances of laughter, many of which arise out of discussing work issues. That is very much the norm at Trailer Park. While every employee brings a different perspective, and there may be times when we don’t agree, laughter has kept our leadership and talent unified, strong and vibrant. 

I read that, nationally, 40 percent of job turnover is due to stress and we spend 50 percent more on healthcare expenditures for workers who report high levels of stress. Scientifically, it’s been proven that laughter boosts the immune system and stimulates the release of endorphins in the brain to decrease stress. It’s important to be aware of how vital having a positive culture plays in promoting better business. 

Many times, what makes a company a great place to work is the ability to let things go and laugh through tough situations. Nothing is better than a loud guffaw.

Kah Lok Leong