Sarcasm is Risky at Work
I have a friend who describes sarcasm as their “second language.” They are a smart, funny, and kind person. They use sarcasm constantly in jokes, self-deprecating remarks, and about serious matters. They get laughs, but I do not want to be on a team with them.
Why? Sarcasm wielded indiscriminately is puts your team culture at risk.
Sarcasm is saying one thing but meaning another. Because there is bit of truth at the core of every joke and sarcastic remark it can have an unintended negative impact on the team. I am not advocating a ban of sarcasm for your team, it can have a place at work with the right team, but it must be well-timed, respectful, and thoughtful. This requires the speaker to have a positive intention and the comment to have a positive impact. That is tough to execute.
Often the user of sarcasm employs it as their standard communication style, an avoidance tool, or a passive aggressive delivery method for their opinion. This inappropriate use of sarcasm can shut down, demotivate, and intimidate those in earshot and on the other end of the remark.
Sarcasm puts three crucial team characteristics at risk.
Trust
Trust is the foundation of all relationships. According to Harvard research, trust requires positive relationships, consistency, and good decision making. Sarcasm, however, introduces an element of uncertainty that is the opposite of consistency. When a team member uses sarcasm, others may find it difficult to discern their true intentions or how they may respond in the future. This ambiguity can create mistrust resulting in team members constantly second-guessing each other.
Psychological Safety and Communication
When teams have psychological safety, individuals can speak up, make mistakes, and take risks without fear of humiliation or punishment according to Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmondson. This is crucial for innovation and collaboration. However, sarcastic remarks often carry an undercurrent of criticism or mockery. This leads to feelings of insecurity, disrespect, or ineffectiveness.
A colleague who hears sarcastic comments about their ideas, even if intended to be lighthearted and funny, may become hesitant to share in the future. Sarcasm can decrease open communication, healthy risk taking, and creativity that drives innovation and growth.
Clear and direct communication is vital for a team's success. Sarcasm, by its nature, is ambiguous and easily misinterpreted. What one person sees as a light-hearted joke, another might view as a critique or insult. The effectiveness of communication is measured at the ear of the hearer, not the lips of the speaker. The lack of clarity sarcasm produces leads to misunderstandings and unnecessary conflicts.
Positive and Supportive Environment
Sarcasm carries a negative undertone. Persistent sarcasm and negativity create a cycle where team members respond in kind. This constant negative banter undermines sincere and open communication and trust. It can also be just plain unpleasant.
Even when funny, sarcasm can come across as belittling or dismissive. This can be particularly damaging in a diverse workplace where team members have different sensitivities, personalities, and cultural backgrounds. When individuals feel mocked or undervalued, their motivation to speak up drops. And so goes positivity and productivity.
Here are four strategies to consider:
Model Positive Behavior: To build strong, productive teams, it is essential for leadership and team members to reflect on the use of sarcasm and replace inappropriate or persistent sarcasm with positive communication practices. This includes talking with the team about their understanding and the impact of sarcasm on them, providing constructive feedback and recognition without resorting to sarcasm, holding themselves and team accountable for those practices.
Educate the Team: Provide learning and development opportunities on emotional intelligence and communication. This establishes the team standard for productive communication, opportunity to identify and change unhealthy habits, and learn about the specific impacts of negative communication on their colleagues.
Active Listening: Prioritize listening with empathy to understand, rather than listening to respond. Replace conclusions, criticism, or judgment with questions and avoid interrupting.
Double Down on Psychological Safety: Incorporate intentional behaviors into team meetings and leadership interactions that allow and invite members to express their thoughts and concerns directly and respectfully. Embrace crazy ideas with curiosity. Pause upon hearing concerns or criticism and seek to learn from them before responding. This reduces the need for sarcasm as a communication tool.
Learning how to limit sarcasm to areas where it is truly appropriate and well-received and maximizing trust, openness, and safety creates workplaces where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their best.