‘One type of humour women leaders do use more than men is self-deprecating humour,’ she said. ‘Women would rather laugh at themselves on the whole than laugh at others because it is the safe option.

‘But self-deprecation doesn’t display authority. And although you are allowed to joke about yourself, others… may well feel uncomfortable laughing at their boss’s expense.’

Dr Baxter added: ‘My research has shown that male managers use humour to demonstrate and display their leadership of a team.