Now, almost four hundred years later, we still discuss and study laughter, not so much to understand its impact on human health (it’s generally accepted to be beneficial), but to understand why it’s beneficial because neuroscientists still aren’t sure what happens in our brains when we laugh.

Regardless of the science behind laughter, I’m an enthusiastic advocate of humour in the workplace. And it’s not just about occasional laughter—it’s much broader than that. It’s about a culture of humour; it’s about creating an atmosphere in which the natural inclination to indulge in humour is encouraged; it’s about balancing fun and profit.