There is a tendency for people to rise to the level of performance that others expect of them. Closely linked to the concept of self-fulfilling prophecy.
This concept is named after a Greek myth. Pygmalion, a talented sculptor, falls in love with his own creation, the statue of a woman. After Pygmalion falls deeply in love, the statue eventually turns into a real woman.
Definition: Expectations, rather than innate talent or ability, are more likely to influence outcomes.
Insight: Expect great things, communicate them, and you are more likely to get them from people.
Insight: Nobody has to fail for the benefits of the Pygmalion Effect to be experienced.
Insight: Tagging 'high potential' employees might just be self-fulfilling as they are more likely to receive attention and support. It is important to consider the message conveyed to the rest: you do not have potential.
Insight: Ranking within organisations can discourage.
Insight: One of the simplest ways to encourage great work in people is to show you believe in them.
Principle: Understand your colleagues. Get to know them. Show you care.
Definition: High achievement always takes place in the framework of high
expectation.
Insight: People tend to rise to other peoples expectations of them.
Insight: The Pygmalion Effect explains that relationships can be self-fulfilling prophecies.
Insight: When teachers believe a student is "gifted" they would be more likely to direct more attention or support to them, compared to others they might see as "difficult". This can create self-fulfilling prophecies.
Principle: Let people know that you expect great things from them.
Insight: People tend to believe what they are told by others about themselves.
Insight: Teachers or parents who are told or believe that a child is gifted, or difficult, will likely respond to them according to those beliefs.
Reference: Experiment with school teachers in California that were told specific students were talented, the students received high marks at the end of the school year, even though they were chosen at random.
Insight: Teachers expectations of students can become a reality.
Insight: The lens through which we see the world shapes our perceptions, which can lead to self fulfilling prophecies.
Key Insights & Principles
Management
People often rise to the level of our expectations.
Expectations of people can often influence how we interact with them (time spent, resources given) which can also lead to self-fulfilling prophecies.
Openly ranking people in the workplace is often counterproductive.
People do not have to fail for others to succeed.
Expect great things of yourself and others. Define and communicate it.
Show genuine interest and care for the people you work with.
Discourage zero-sum thinking and competition in the workplace.
Parenting
The expectations we have and communicate to children can greatly influence outcomes.
Clearly communicate to children what you expect of them.
Encourage children to live up to positive expectations.
