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Sunday Scaries: How to Gif at work (Boomer friendly edition)

An easy to follow guide on using GIFs at work without getting fired

Author

Mitch King
April 26, 2024

With the rise of internal communication tools like slack and new generations entering the workforce, how we communicate with each other at work has changed and will continue to change.

This means that GIFs can be common place at many companies and in my opinion, often a more effective way of communication. A GIF can portray tone and emotions more than plain old written words, more than an emoji and without the effort of an actual face to face or phone conversation (that gives the youths the ick, am I right youths?)

Older generations didn't grow up texting or messaging, around my age were the first to have MSN messenger, ICQ, Chatrooms and we got used to these fast written exchanges.

So I've put together this useful guide for anyone that's struggling to understand when or how to GIF, to become a Gif master.

How you'll feel and how your colleagues will celebrate your new Gif skills

First things first, it's GIF not JIF. The G is like "Gift" not like G for "Jump". This if JIF

Let's start with a few examples of common GIFs and examples of when to use them but also examples of which ones NOT to use too. It's not just about throwing any GIF out there but the RIGHT GIF at the RIGHT time.

Scenario 1: Your colleague sends a message, "anyone keen on the pub for lunch today?"

Good GIF options:

BAD GIF OPTIONS (ones not to use)

This isn't "mmm, yum". This is a meeting with HR.

General rule of thumb, no hip thrusting GIFs or just at all

Just because it's on your wall at home, doesn't make it a good GIF

Scenario 3: Your managers asks "can anyone cover my shift tonight? I've got Nickelback tickets"

Good:

BAD:

Think it, don't GIF it.

Scenario 4: Your younger colleagues use a term that you don't understand, like "ick" or "mid" or "slay"

Good:

Bad:

Scenario 5: A colleague criticises your work

Good:

You are insulted but you have a sense of humour too

BAD:

Remember, Think it, Don't GIF it. TIFGI mugs coming soon.

Scenario 6: Someone asks a spicy question during the company meeting

Good:

I will find a million reasons to use this GIF

BAD:

If I missed any good and bad GIF examples, please add them to the comments but know this important piece of information: You can't GIF on mobile on LinkedIn, the GIFs come out as static images.

It's a horrible, unforgivable shortcoming on this platform but take solace in your now advanced GIF knowledge and improved ability to communicate with your colleagues.