Is your presence in the room changing the room?

Your leadership style affects the quality of input you receive.

THINK ON IT: Is your presence in the room changing the room?

When studying subatomic properties, scientists must take care that their own means for measuring these infinitesimal elements does not, in fact, change the behavior they are seeking to study. This is known as observer bias, and it happens in business too.

Your leadership team takes their cues from you. As a leader, your actions and words can significantly — and unwittingly — change the behavior of your employees. Social scientists refer to it as the Hawthorne effect to describe how people behave differently when they know they are being observed by or are around those in authority. 

You may not think your presence makes a difference, but it does. And the only way to overcome it is to intentionally deprogram it. When discussing strategy or other vital issues in the business, how often do you solicit and commend competing views? 

To bring out the best strategic thinking for your business, think like a scientist. Make sure your leadership style is not contaminating a greater outcome.

And how do you do that? It requires understanding the paradox of leadership. Read on for more.

“It is the province of knowledge to speak, and it is the privilege of wisdom to listen.” — Oliver Wendell Holmes

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