# The Placebo Effect at Work By:: [[Brian Heath]] 2022-09-22 The placebo effect is real. It has been confirmed in many scenarios and situations. One study showed that patients who received knee surgeries reported the same improvements as those who only had the skin on their knee cut open and then sewn back up. This is crazy, but what does it mean at work? On the consumer side, if the consumer believes that your product is superior, then they will have a better experience. This is the power of your brand. On the employee side, if the employee believes that the company is a great place to work, then their experience will be better. The "best places to work" surveys abound because they provide the basis for believing a place is great. On the management side, if management believes they are good managers, then will that make them good managers? No, as they might be delusional. The placebo effect is bounded to a person's belief about themselves but does not necessarily transfer to others. Charisma or a resume can help others believe in something, but ultimately your brain has to believe that it will make a difference. The placebo effect brings with it many ethical concerns. Is it right to mimic evidence or expertise to get the benefits of the placebo effect? For example, is it right to hire a consulting group to come in and say a place is great to work when it isn't? Some people will see through it, but if it is convincing, then people may start believing in it. This is wrong. However, if you've completed a ton of scientific research, double-blind tests, and proven the benefits of an approach, then is it ok to hype the solution to a client to maximize the potential benefits associated with it and the placebo effect? When done from an ethical foundation, then I think it is very reasonable. The standards of ethical evidence in business and management vary wildly and are often nowhere near scientific standards. Not even [[The Management Myth|scientific management is scientific]]. It's just phrasing that likely engages the placebo effect. However, this is also a core part of the human condition. Knowing that it exists can provide opportunities to improve the human condition by using it ethically and challenging its abuse. #### Related Items [[Placebo Effect]] [[Management]] [[Business]] [[Marketing]] [[Science]] [[The Human Condition]]