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The Pygmalion Effect is the phenomenon in which the greater the expectations placed upon people, the better they perform. The work of Robert Rosenthal and Lenore Jacobson, among others, demonstrates that teacher expectations influence student performance. Positive expectations lead to improved performance, while negative expectations hinder it.
This phenomenon has been repeatedly proven in scientific studies, yet so few people—parents, coaches, trainers, managers, and leaders—actively take advantage of it. Research since Rosenthal and Jacobson’s original study has shown that the Pygmalion Effect applies across various settings, from sports teams to the military to the corporate workplace.
The great news? You can elevate others' achievements by practicing a few simple steps. There’s no magic involved—just a shift in mindset. When you set higher expectations for those who work with or for you, you create an environment that fosters success. Here are a few ways to start making the Pygmalion Effect work for you:
How to Use the Pygmalion Effect to Boost Performance
Challenge your SUPERSTARS. High performers can handle more responsibility. When assigning them tasks, use encouraging statements like, “I wouldn’t be giving you this if I didn’t know you could handle it.” Your confidence in them reinforces their belief in their own abilities.
Listen to their ideas. If you recognize someone as a superstar, keep an open mind to their suggestions and feedback. Respond to their questions with patience and support rather than frustration.
Create a positive work environment. When you trust in your team’s ability to succeed, you naturally foster a less stressful and more encouraging atmosphere. A simple smile, a nod of approval, or an occasional compliment can reinforce their confidence and motivation.
Provide frequent feedback and recognition. We tend to give high performers more personal feedback and use them as examples for others. Publicly praising someone in front of their peers can be a powerful motivator. Always remember: “Praise in public whenever possible.”
The Power of Your Own Behavior
Smiles, positive feedback, encouragement, public and private praise, pats on the back, approving nods, reassurance, support, clear instructions—these all come from you. If you want others to change, start by changing your own behavior. German writer, philosopher, and politician Johann Wolfgang von Goethe once said:
“If you treat an individual as he is, he will remain how he is. But if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become what he ought to be and could be.”
He also said:
“The way you see people is the way you treat them, and the way you treat them is what they become.”
Could improving the performance of others be as simple as the Pygmalion Effect suggests? Why not give it a try? It certainly can’t hurt.