Bosses who think they’re funny create emotional labor for employees, says study

A new study published in the Academy of Management Journal found that bosses who try too hard to be funny can actually reduce job satisfaction among their employees. The researchers conducted two studies, one in Southern China and one in a US business school, and found that leaders who used excessive humor drained their employees' emotional energy, leading to reduced job satisfaction. Pretending to find a boss's jokes funny can be emotionally exhausting for employees, leading to dissatisfaction with their jobs. The study also found that authenticity matters, and humor works best when it comes from a genuine place rather than being used as a tool to encourage camaraderie. The researchers discovered that the negative effects of excessive humor are magnified when there is a perceived power difference between the boss and employees. The study's findings suggest that leaders should focus on fewer, higher-impact humor expressions, as excessive humor can backfire. The researchers concluded that less humor might actually be more effective in maintaining good relationships with employees. Managers should be cautious not to overuse humor, especially if they have a more authoritative tone or dress formally. The study's results challenge the assumption that leader humor is always a good thing and provide valuable insights for managers on how to use humor effectively. Overall, the study suggests that bosses should keep their puns and jokes to a minimum to avoid draining their employees' emotional energy.