Notes from 57th International STC Conference
Dallas, Texas, May 2-5, 2010

Humor in the Workplace: A Styptic for the Razor Cuts of Stress
Tabletop presentation within Management SIG’s progression,
“Best Practices in Management”

Dan Voss
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control

Session Description: This presentation and the accompanying article in the conference Proceedings explore the creative use of humor as a de-stressor in the often deadline-driven, pressure-filled world of technical communication, while also addressing the inherent risks involved with this strategy. Three specific techniques involving metaphor, psychology, and incongruity are exemplified.

Note: Notes are not available from this session, since I was the presenter. However, the presentation and the article from the conference Proceedings are available.

• “Humor in the Workplace: A Styptic for the Razor Cuts of Stress,” presentation by Dan Voss.
• “The Use of Humor, Metaphor, Psychology, and Sheer Zaniness to Defuse Volatile Situations, Lower Your Blood Pressure, and Support Stress Management in Technical Communication: Real-World Applications of M4A4Z4 Theory,” article by Dan Voss.