When leaders in that institution used humor they were able to cut costs and raise productivity. This is, in part, due to the tranformational nature of humor. Communication can be tranformational or transactional. Transactional communication is much like going to the gas station and paying for the gas. You go up to the window with the little hole and give then some money for the gas and the person behind the window gives you a receipt.
Transactional communication involves one person giving information to another.
Such as when a superior gives orders to an subordinate. The only task of the giver is to present the information and the only task of the receiver is to accept the information. This type of communication works well in small self contained groups such as medieval castles. In these type of situations there is little need for dialogue or a mutual relationship. But in case you haven t noticed very few of us work in castles anymore.