At Scientific American , Hilda Bastian looks behind the story MORE

This is consistent with a well-documented social science phenomenon called the Hawthorne effect, whereby people change their behavior as a result of knowing they are being observed. MORE

I am doing some research into the Hawthorne studies (Western Electric Company, 1929-1932, studies so named because the research took place at the plant in Hawthorne, just outside Chicago) and came across this great quote. As you might recall, the Hawthorne studies helped us understand the connections between workplace relationships, morale, and productivity. Note: You may have heard of the term, "The Hawthorne Effect." MORE

The Hawthorne Studies were conducted from 1927 to 1932 at the Hawthorne Works plant outside of Chicago. Instead, he found the “Hawthorne Effect.”. In essence, the Hawthorne Effect, as it applies to the workplace, argues that “Employees are more productive because the employees know they are being studied.” The Hawthorne studies found that the workplace was a social system. Leadership evidence-based management hawthorne mayo MORE

In the 1920s, a series of experiments were conducted at Hawthorne Works, a Western Electric telephone factory just outside Chicago, to study the effects of lighting on worker productivity. The “Hawthorne effect,” as it is now known, has been well-documented in social science : individuals, typically research subjects, actively change their behavior when they know they are being observed and monitored. The effect goes beyond productivity. MORE

In a paper published in 2009 , Alex Haynes and colleagues examined the use and effectiveness of checklists in eight hospitals in eight cities in the Unites States. It’s a well-documented social-science finding called the Hawthorne effect.) Tailored information with targets and feedback was the most cost-effective intervention, improving fueling precision, in-flight efficiency measures, and efficient taxiing practices by 9% to 20%. MORE

Meaning, you cannot measure leadership directly, but you can certainly measure the effects of leadership in the results of a group the leader is leading. Measuring results reminds me of the Hawthorne Studies. MORE