To improve your proficiency, ask yourself the following questions on a regular basis:

• In a seemingly serious situation, what nuggets of humor or irony can I find?
• When faced with a potentially difficult situation, is there a way that humor could help? Could lead to a better outcome?
• Am I funnier than I think I am? Less funny? Who will give me an honest assessment of my sense of humor?
• Could I start my next meeting, presentation, or conversation by telling a funny story?
• What are the humorous situations in my life that have taught me something?

To avoid overdoing humor, ask yourself:

• When have I used humor in the last year when I shouldn’t have? When may it have backfired?
• Do I ever encourage a near party atmosphere because of my comfort with using humor?
• Knowing that some people are more easily offended than I, could my use of humor put people off? Is there a chance I’m offending people but I’m unaware of it?
• Do I avoid discussing or solving the real issue by making a joke?

Microsoft Competencies: Humor