... investigates whether and how leader humor expression influences subordinate OCB and creativity. Design/methodology/approach We employed a two-sample design, collecting data from working professionals in China and the USA to examine the mediating role of positive emotion in both cultural contexts...

... emotion mediates the link between leader humor and intrinsic motivation. Furthermore, the effect of positive emotion on motivation is stronger when the quality of the leader–member relationship is high. Originality/value This research introduces new insights by demonstrating the role of leader humor...