Hawthorne Effect
One of the biggest assumptions leaders make during decisions is that they know every variable which they manipulate.
When you change a policy or an approach to something, your mind naturally classifies it within binary “If:Then” thinking.
For example, If the roast of the bean is changed, Then the resulting enjoyment is due to roast type.
The Hawthorne Effect is a reminder that the external, definable variables are only part of the picture.
In particular, when it comes to human variables, the awareness and attention given becomes a variable itself.
Something, when examined, is impacted simply by the process of examination, regardless of the ensuing intervention.
As a leader, this effect raises two important considerations.
First, what variables are you associating as causal for your decisions, and what variables might you overlook?
Second, what could you attend to on your team that, regardless of your decision or action, might benefit from the awareness of examination.
Cafe non verba,
- Morning Cup