Less well known is its alter ago, the nocebo effect, where people experience adverse physical or psychological symptoms because of negative expectations & beliefs of treatment, that even when it proves to be inert can create very real harm.
Right now, I think many organisations are unintentionally giving their employees a bad case of the “nocebo’s.”
Uncertainty in the wider world certainly isn’t helping. Every week another big name seems to warn of trouble, & leaders are understandably cautious. But when the default response is delay, defer, deny — protecting the balance sheet at all costs — something critical is overlooked: the people who make that balance sheet possible in the first place.
I’ve lost count of the conversations recently with friends, colleagues, & potential clients who feel left in the dark. They know something is not quite right at a senior level, but communications have dried up. The vacuum is quickly filled by gossip, half-truths, & inconsistencies — fuelling worry, sleepless nights, & at worse, burnout. That’s the nocebo effect in action.
There is no quick fix, but here is my manifesto for leading through times like these (learned the hard way, from both successes & mistakes):
1. Communicate often & honestly.
Say something, say it regularly, & keep it real. Silence — or worse, spin —quickly erodes trust. People can handle the truth; what they can’t handle is being kept guessing.
2. Own your changes.
If circumstances shift, acknowledge it. Gone are the days of the omnipotent leader with all the answers. In fact, people are now more suspicious of those who appear too polished. Honesty beats perfection every time.
3. Involve your people.
Some of the best solutions come from those closest to the customer. Whether it is tackling quality issues, productivity challenges, or structural change — share ownership. A problem shared is a problem halved.
If you’re a leader navigating similar challenges & want the space to think about how to keep your team engaged, let’s talk. I offer a free 30-minute initial conversation — drop me a message at rupert@strongerhumans.com
