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• What is the Pygmalion effect?

• Seeing it in the classroom environment

• What influence are you having on your team?

• How to distribute yourself fairly

The Pygmalion Effect is a psychological phenomenon where higher expectations lead to an increase in performance.

Let’s examine two examples.

In the workplace, the Pygmalion Effect highlights how a manager’s expectations can influence an employee’s productivity and performance. Managers who believe in their employees' potential are more likely to invest in their development and offer positive reinforcement, which strengthens employees' confidence and elevates their performance.

Now, consider the impact this can have on a student’s life when the right teacher is in their corner. Reflecting on my education, a student who behaves well and consistently completes their homework experiences a very different level of support and encouragement compared to a student who often misbehaves or is disengaged.

When a teacher believes a child is capable of success, they tend to dedicate more resources and attention to that child. This added support and expectation drive the child to increase their effort and improve their performance.

Returning to the workplace, this principle holds true for leadership as well. Setting high expectations and showing belief in someone’s potential can motivate them to achieve far more than if they feel unsupported or doubted.

A leader’s high expectations often become a self-fulfilling prophecy, as these beliefs encourage greater effort from both the leader and the team member, making success more attainable.

By setting high standards for everyone and investing in those who need extra support, leaders can build high-performing, more engaged teams.

Leaders play a vital role and often, without even realizing it, they bring the Pygmalion Effect to life.

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How can you make sure the Pygmalion Effect is empowering your team in a positive way?

1/ Belief - Foster a strong sense of belief and confidence in your team members. While they may not be where they need to be today, with ongoing practice and effort, they can reach impressive heights.

2/ Kaizen - Set high standards and emphasise continuous improvement. This approach keeps momentum, prevents stagnation, and encourages innovation and growth.

3/ Gold - Focus on finding the positive in every situation. Mistakes will happen, but there’s always something to learn. Encourage a mindset shift from “Why is this happening to me?” to “This is happening for me” to stay focused on progress rather than setbacks.

4/ Equality - Allocate your time and resources fairly, ensuring everyone has opportunities to grow, whether they are top performers or need additional support. Balance your efforts between helping those who are struggling and lifting high achievers to even greater heights.

5/ Future Self - Focus on each person’s potential and what they could achieve with the right behaviours, guidance, and coaching. Visualize their future success and actively support their journey. Share your vision of their future self with them to inspire confidence and drive.

Final words

As a leader, understanding the Pygmalion Effect is essential, as your expectations can greatly impact your team’s performance. When you believe in your team’s potential and set high standards, you cultivate an environment where individuals feel supported and motivated to excel. Your positive expectations inspire greater effort, leading to improved results.

By promoting a culture of continuous growth, fairness, and forward-looking support, you help team members realize their full potential, boosting overall team performance and engagement.

Reply to let me know what you thought of today’s newsletter!

David

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