The Role of Humor in Leader-Follower Relationships in Nigerian Workplaces: A Study of Cultural Moderation Effects

Tunde Tewogbade

doi:10.56201/ijebm.vol.12.no6.2026.pg313.323

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The Role of Humor in Leader-Follower Relationships in Nigerian Workplaces: A Study of Cultural Moderation Effects

Tunde Tewogbade

Abstract

Humor is now seen as a relational resource that influences the quality of the interaction between leaders and followers; however, most research and theorizing about humor has come out of Western and low power distance and individualist contexts. This paper proposes a theoretical explanation regarding the moderating effect of culturally embedded values between leader humor and quality of leader-follower relationship in Nigerian workplaces. Based on leader-member exchange theory, social exchange theory, and Hofstede's and the GLOBE project's cultural dimensions, the paper maintains that Nigeria's power distance, collectivism, masculinity, and degree of ethnic and religious differences significantly recontextualize the communication of and about leader humor. A conceptual model is proposed that proposes cultural moderation— specifically the interaction between humor style (affiliative, aggressive, self-enhancing, and self- deprecating) and relational outcomes (trust, LMX quality, organizational citizenship behavior, willingness to voice dissent)—with the following research implications. The paper concludes that humor in the context of high power distance, collectivist countries, can be used as a double edged relational tool; affiliative and self-deprecating humor by the superior in the workplace could help humanise the hierarchical relationship and enhance in-group relationship, while affiliative humor from the same source could be interpreted as a threat to the status quo or affiliative humor could mask coercive intent when used without sensitivity to ethnic, religious and generational differences in the Nigerian workforce. The proposed framework's implications for managers, the limitations of the current framework, and directions for future empirical research are discussed.

Keywords

leader humorleader-member exchangeorganizational culturepower distanceNigeriacultural moderationleader-follower relationships

References

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The Role of Humor in Leader-Follower Relationships in Nigerian Workplaces: A Study of Cultural Moderation Effects

Abstract

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