ABSTRACT
In Greek mythology, Pygmalion was a sculptor who carved a statue of a beautiful woman who came to life. The goddess Venus endowed the statue with life in response to Pygmalion’s prayers. A dramatic illustration of the “Pygmalion effect” achieved notoriety in the 1960s when reported in Look magazine as “Sweeney’s Miracle.” Managers often play Pygmalion-like roles in developing employees who go on to surpass even their own expectations. Increase productivity, improve employee relations, influence performance—it’s “do-able” if the leaders at the top of the organization believe in the power of expectation and in themselves. Successful employees are backed by the faith their managers have in them. They work for leaders who provide support in good times as well as bad. Leaders are often in a position to assure success for their employees by assigning tasks that make them winners. One of the most critical tools a manager can use to influence performance is the power of expectation.
