Expect Greatness

"Expect Greatness – How believing in people makes them smarter" explores the "Pygmalion Effect." In a famous 1968 study, psychologist Robert Rosenthal told teachers that certain students in their class were "intellectual bloomers" who would soon show a spike in IQ. In reality, these students were chosen at random.



Psychologist Sarah Miller explains the result: At the end of the year, the "bloomers" actually did have higher IQ scores. The teachers had treated them differently (more patience, more feedback) based on the false belief, which in turn improved the students' performance.



This book applies the theory to leadership and parenting. It shows that high expectations act as a self-fulfilling prophecy. We don't just predict the future of our employees or children; we actively create it through our subtle, often unconscious behaviors.