I’ll admit it: I’m a curious person. Possibly too curious. While others unwind with Netflix, I relax by diving deep into academic rabbit holes on humour and psychology. Yes, I know – someone stage an intervention. But occasionally, that curiosity pays off.
Recently, I stumbled across a gem: a research paper titled The Effect of Humor Styles on Anxiety Performance in Basketball Learning Practices
It sounds like it belongs in a dusty library corner, but its findings couldn’t be more relevant to everyday performance- on the pitch and in the boardroom. The study found that certain humour styles not only reduced anxiety in players but also improved their performance.
That’s music to my ears – and precisely what I’ve been saying for years. Humour isn’t just a social nicety or a pressure valve. It’s a performance strategy.
Humour on the Pitch: More Than Just Banter
When I co-wrote Leader on the Pitch with rugby legend Scott Quinnell, I saw first-hand how humour can galvanise a team. Scott, with his infectious personality and razor-sharp wit, has always understood that a good laugh isn’t a distraction—it’s a form of cohesion.
As Scott said on The Humourology Podcast:
“When you’re struggling… that’s the important time. It’s when you need somebody just to pick you up, somebody just to say something, somebody just to do something, somebody just to break that silence and put everything in perspective.”
Humour is the perfect tool for doing just that. It cuts through tension, invites perspective, and reconnects people in a way few other things can. A well-timed laugh doesn’t just lighten the load – it reminds us that we’re in it together.
That’s precisely the point. When things get tough – and they will, whether you’re chasing a championship or a client deadline – humour can reframe, refocus, and reconnect a team faster than any motivational poster.
And Scott didn’t just talk the talk – he walked the walk. He shared how one teammate, Ian Boobyer, acted as the team’s “catalyst of humour,” pranking teammates, hiding shoes in the freezer, and even removing the last few pages from someone’s book just to get a laugh three weeks later. It wasn’t just mischief – it was magic for team morale.
The Science of Laughing to Win
The research backs this up. Players who displayed affiliative (inclusive, team-bonding) or self-enhancing (resilient, stress-relieving) humour styles were better able to handle anxiety and focus under pressure.
It turns out that being able to laugh with others – or even at yourself – is a core performance skill. The opposite also held true: players who used aggressive or self-defeating humour saw increased anxiety and diminished performance.
In other words, humour helps – but only the right kind
The Corporate Crossover
It’s easy to think, “Well, that’s sport – not my office.” But business and sport are more alike than we often admit. Both require teamwork, communication, trust, and the ability to stay cool under pressure.
And just like a rugby squad that trains six days a week, business teams spend countless hours together. If there’s no space for humour, it’s not just dull – it’s dangerous for performance.
Scott put it beautifully:
“If you take yourself seriously 24/7, there’s not going to be much else in your life to hold on to. And when things don’t quite go right, then that seriousness becomes a darker place to be in.”
In business, as in sport, a little levity can be a life raft.
Three Tips for Building High-Performance Through Humour
- Create a Culture Where Laughter is Allowed (and Encouraged)
Don’t mistake professionalism for pomposity. Great leaders give people permission to breathe, bond, and banter – especially under pressure. - Use Humour Strategically to Diffuse Tension
Tough meeting ahead? Preemptively drop the temperature with a light, well-placed line. Not to distract, but to connect. As Scott said, “make one of them laugh… and all of a sudden they forget what they were doing in the first place.” - Lead with Authenticity and Vulnerability
Teams don’t follow robots. They follow humans. And humans who can laugh at themselves – without diminishing their role – build trust. Humour isn’t the opposite of authority. It’s what grounds it.
Final Whistle
So, whether you’re lacing up boots or opening a boardroom door, consider this: your funniest face might be your most effective one.
Because humour, when used wisely, doesn’t just lift spirits – it lifts performance.
As Scott Quinnell wisely reminded us:
“Never, ever be frightened to make a mistake. Because if you’re scared of making a mistake, you ain’t going to be the best person you’re going to be.”
Laugh a little. Lead a lot.
See you next Tuesday.
Warmest,
Paul x.
