Pygmalion effect — why you should invest in people
As an 18-year-old waitress juggling three jobs in Jacksonville, Florida, Kat Cole was often late for her shift. One day her Hooters store manager Bonnie sat her down to tell her that she was great with her peers and she (Bonnie) would love to give her more shifts. But she needed to know if the job was a priority for Kat. It was the first time Kat remembers anyone apart from her mother betting on her.
Before long, nominated by Bonnie, Kat was traveling to three continents to launch the Hooters franchise. In less than two decades, she was the President of Cinnabon and the COO of Focus Brands. Kat believes her career is a testament to the belief certain key figures placed in her, something known in psychology as the Pygmalion effect (PE).
PE is typically observed in a teacher-student / mentor-mentee where high expectations lead to improved performance. When someone you respect believes in the best of you, you work to validate that belief. Much the same way, low expectations get the least out of you. Either way, PE is a self-fulfiling prophecy.
What is PE not about? It is not about insincere praise or false encouragement. It is about seeing the potential in someone, letting them know, and being straight with them when that potential goes unrealized, like Bonnie did with Kat.
PE has its limitations: complacency, exploitation. These hold us back from being generous toward those who need our guidance. And when we shy away from betting on people, most tend to do a pros versus cons of the situation.
Kat Cole suggests we see it as income versus tax.
Which is basically no comparison because we don’t stop working because our earnings are taxed. Much the same way, we shouldn’t shy away from betting on people just because on the odd occasion our faith may be misplaced.
And let’s think about what we gain: access to the best version of someone we have nurtured.
So: the income should outweigh the tax. But you find that to not be the case in your life or at your job. Consider the possibility your situation is the exception. Then change your situation.
Kat Cole reached exceptional heights in her career because a number of people along the way chose to pay a tax. She is candidly thankful to all teachers and mentors who looked her in the eye and told her, You are so much better than this. And she continues to prove them right.
This post was created with Typeshare
