Using humor in the workplace can be beneficial for lightening the mood and making meetings more enjoyable. However, a recent study published in the Academy of Management Journal highlighted that excessive leader humor could have negative effects on employee wellbeing. The study, conducted by Randall Peterson at the London Business School, Xiaoran Hu at the London School of Economics, and Michael Parke and Grace Simon from the University of Pennsylvania, revealed that leaders who make too many jokes can lead their employees to engage in "surface acting," which involves faking or exaggerating positive emotions.
The research conducted experiments, both in the field and in a lab setting, to examine how leader humor impacts employees' emotional responses. The findings indicated that when bosses constantly crack jokes, it can increase the pressure on employees to fake positive emotional reactions. This forced surface acting can eventually result in emotional exhaustion, burnout, and diminished job satisfaction among employees.
Interestingly, the study showed that the negative impacts of excessive leader humor were more pronounced when there was a significant power distance between the leader and their subordinates. Employees felt compelled to fake emotions more in such situations, as displaying the appropriate emotion was crucial for their personal development and goals.
To mitigate the adverse effects of leader humor, the study suggests that leaders should be mindful of their use of humor and aim for quality rather than quantity. By using humor sparingly and thoughtfully, leaders can alleviate the pressure on employees to engage in surface acting. It is advised that leaders be cautious about overdoing humor, as making too many jokes can lead to unintended negative consequences on employee wellbeing.
In conclusion, while humor can have its place in the workplace, leaders must strike a balance and use it in moderation. Approaching humor with thoughtfulness and considering its impact on employee well-being can contribute to a positive work environment and enhanced productivity.