Self-Fullfilling Prophecy (Pygmalion Effect or Expectancy Theory)

• The belief and attitude that we have within our self, toward others or about projects is an important determining factor for what the end result will be.


• Portrayed through the musical, “ My Fair Lady.” Our belief and support in another person; the expectation that an employee can perform at a level that he/she does not see himself/herself capable of achieving. Creates a shift in the individual’s confidence that he/she can perform at the higher level—and then does so.


• “Flea training” – The trainer will explain this in the follow-up classroom session.

Four Truths of Attitude

1. More than anything else, it is our attitude at the beginning of a task that will bring about its successful outcome.


2. Our attitude toward others determines their attitude toward us.


3. Before you can achieve the kind of life you want, you must think, act, talk, and conduct yourself in all of your affairs as would the person you wish to become. Attitude is not the result of success; success is the result of positive attitudes.


4. The deepest craving of human beings is self esteem: to be needed, to feel important and to be appreciated. When you treat every person you meet as the most important person in the world, both of you will benefit.

Illustration: Examining Interactions²

Think about a past interaction with your supervisor or manager and ask yourself, “Did I feel more capable and persist in my efforts?” Or, “Did I feel less capable and find myself not performing as well, or needing to draw upon energy from another source to sustain my effort towards a goal?”

²Kouzes & Posner, The Leadership Challenge, 1995.

Conclusion

This section began with the question, “What does attitude have to do with managing?” One answer is “perhaps everything.” First, because of your positional role, your disposition will affect the employees you supervise.  Second, the disposition of each of your employees will impact their productivity and those with whom they interact.

Gaining a greater understanding of concepts and models relative to one’s attitude can provide various tools to help you work with and at times confront challenging issues.  As Zig Ziglar was known to say, “your attitude determines your altitude.”