The Management Quantum Effect

I’ve noticed an interesting effect in Management. Simply by asking a question, you change the answer.

Manager's should not underestimate the effect that their questions have on their team and what their team emphasises.

We are raised in a system where questions are tests. Directed questions are perceived as tests. We are also raised to acknowledge that tests deserves attention. Attention being finite - introducing new tests directs attention away from other focuses. It is a disruption.

The Management Quantum Effect materialises in two ways.

Many employees will scramble to provide an answer - usually the answer they predict you will want. This may not be the ‘true answer’ - the answer you would have received had you not asked the question.

The second is that there is work seriously deployed to interpret and come back with an answer. This franticness takes away from other work and so effects the whole system.

This leaves the manager who's in need of answers with a dilemma. To ask, leading to diversion and disruption. Or to remain in the dark.

Is there a third way? Eric Weinstein’s interpretation of quantum mechanics seem to offer one. He maintains that quantum systems arrive at certain, sensible answers if asked the right type of question.

For managers, what does the right question look like? That depends. Clearly signalling that the question isn't important tends to work well. It removes the testiness.

Unless of course, the intention is to force change in the system, by asking. Then, ask away.