Humor and its implications for leadership effectiveness

We examined the relationship between leader effectiveness mid humor in two cadet samples at the United States Military Academy. In both groups, subordinates were asked to recall particularly good or bad leaders and then rate them on leadership and humor. In study 1, using Craik, Lampert, and Nelson's (1996) measure of styles of humorous conduct, warm humorous conduct was higher in good leaders than in bad leaders, even after controlling statistically for rated leadership. In study 2, participants rated other attributes such as physical ability, intelligence, and consideration, as well as humor and leadership. Again, we found that good leaders were rated higher in humor, even after controlling statistically for other attributes. Organisational culture, in the military and elsewhere, supports the use of humor by leaders in appropriate ways. Although a study that included average leaders, instead of very good or bad leaders, might not show such strong effects, further research into the context for appropriate use of humor by leaders is certainly indicated.