Sir Alex Ferguson's famous "hairdryer treatment" may still have a place in the modern workplace, according to new research – but it won't work on everyone.
The former Manchester United manager was known for getting in players' faces and swearing furiously during team talks. David Beckham was on the receiving end of the outbursts, while Wayne Rooney once admitted there was "nothing worse" than a full-blown Ferguson rant.
What the study found
Researchers surveyed 5,660 employees in 19 countries to see how a foul-mouthed boss affects their reputation. The findings were reported in The Conversation by Alexandros Psychogios of Loughborough University and Dritjon Gruda of Universidade Católica Portuguesa.
They wrote: "Our research suggests people's reactions to a sweary boss depend not only on what is being said, but also on who is listening and where they live."
While the academics conceded that "overall, employees were less satisfied with supervisors who frequently used profanity," they found that workers who identified with "more psychopathic and Machiavellian personality traits" were actually more satisfied with their leader as swearing increased.
Why a sweary boss appeals to some
The researchers explained: "Psychopathy and Machiavellianism both involve a certain level of emotional detachment and a willingness to disregard social norms, including the norm that bosses shouldn't swear. For these people, a boss who swears may come across as more genuine and confident, unconstrained by unnecessary rules."
They added that the effect depends on the cultural context. In "countries with lower levels of equality...workplace hierarchies carry greater weight, so a leader's swearing is less likely to be read as friendliness or authenticity and more likely to be seen as a display of dominance."
What this means for managers
The researchers concluded: "So, should leaders stop swearing altogether? Not necessarily. But they should recognise that effective leadership isn't about finding one communication style that works for everyone. It's about understanding your audience. Knowing your team is just as important as choosing the right (or wrong) words."
