The Pygmalion Effect is the name given to a phenomenon, by which belief in your abilities from someone you respect has a dramatic and positive effect on your performance. It also works in reverse – in experiments, even a minor put down by a stranger can have a remarkably negative influence on performance. In classroom experiments, priming teachers with positive or negative expectations about the ability of a class they have not met before resulted in dramatic changes in the pupils’ performance, even though the ability levels of both classes had been found to be equal before the experiment. 

Mentors and coaches can use the Pygmalion effect to support learners. It’s important not to go over the top and set unrealistic expectations, but there are practical ways you can apply the concept for the learner’s benefit. These include:

• Identify with them what they are like when they perform at their best and exploring how they might use this as their base line in the future
• Accept and be supportive when they don’t meet these high expectations, but treating each “miss” as a learning step towards consistent high performance
• Sett high standards for yourself as well (recognising that you, too, will not always meet them) and sharing how you regroup and try to do better next time
• Recognise and praise small advances (but don’t overdo it)
• Focus praise more on effort and learning rather than on achievements – too much attention on winning reduces attention on learning
• If appropriate, provide testimonials to others about the learner’s potential – so they meet high expectations from other people, too
• Help them to align their own expectations of themselves with their values – the person they desire to be
• Give them space to replace the influence of your expectations with their own self-expectations – and be prepared to back away when your job is done!

© David Clutterbuck