No joke: Humor scores high among workplace priorities

MENLO PARK, Calif., Aug. 16, 2007 -- According to a new survey, the workplace loves a leader who can laugh, and most bosses seem ready to deliver the punch line.

Ninety-seven percent of professionals polled feel it is important for managers to have a sense of humor. Employers appear to have received the message: Eighty-seven percent of workers said their supervisors do indeed have a funny bone.

The survey was developed by Robert Half International, a staffing service specializing in accounting, finance and information technology. It was conducted by an independent research firm and includes responses from 492 full- or part-time workers 18 years of age or older and employed in office environments.

Workers were asked, “How important do you think it is for managers to have a sense of humor?” Their responses:

Very important: 65 percent
Somewhat important: 32 percent
Not important at all: 3 percent

Workers also were asked, “Does your manager have a good sense of humor?” Their responses:

Yes: 87 percent
No: 10 percent
Don't know / no answer: 3 percent

“Managers who can laugh at themselves or difficult situations are often seen as more approachable and in touch with the challenges their teams face,” said Max Messmer, chair and CEO of Robert Half International. “Levity also can be used to build rapport among staff and ease stressful situations.”

Messmer cautioned that while people enjoy working for someone who has a good sense of humor, too much clowning can have the opposite effect.

“To be taken seriously, supervisors must balance their desire to keep the mood light with the need to accomplish business objectives, inspire great performance and maintain professionalism,” he said.

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