This week’s Between The Lines Newsletter from Coach Dan Pfaff was on The Power of expectation. This information has massive implications for police trainers. I could not find a link to share it so the newsletter is below. You can go to this link to subscribe to all the Altis weekly content: https://altis.world/newsletter/.
| In today’s Between The Lines, I’ll discuss why research conducted over 30 years ago can help us achieve improved results with athletes where they are least expected … Back in the 1980s, a pair of researchers – Rosenthal and Jacobsen – observed the results of intelligence tests in an elementary school. They then informed the teachers of the names of twenty percent of the students in the school who they thought would show the most academic growth. Here’s the twist – these students were actually randomly selected. So what did Rosenthal and Jacobson find when they tested the students eight months later? The randomly selected students who teachers thought would blossom achieved significantly better results. Surprising? Not necessarily… This is the crux of what is known as the ‘Pygmalion effect’ – its core tenet being that the expectations people hold of us appear to have a powerful effect on our behavior and associated performance. “When we expect certain behaviors of others, we are likely to act in ways that make the expected behavior more likely to occur.” (Rosenthal et al.) Similar to a ‘self-fulfilling prophecy’ in terms of how the expectations we have of ourselves influence our likely outcome in competition, the Pygmalion Effect has a four stage ‘life-cycle’ that can be a powerful tool for coaches, if used the right way As such, if a coach has low expectations of an athlete’s potential performance, this would most likely lead to a climate of poor interpersonal dynamics, results, and ultimately failed potential. And on the flip side, if a coach is consistent in viewing athletes through the lens of their highest possible potential – regardless of whether the athlete actually sees it – the athlete will likely achieve more. This lesson has particular poignance for those taking on new athletes; athletes with a low biological or training age compared to their peer group; or simply those with no faith or confidence in their abilities. With that being said, I’ll leave you with a couple of questions to ponder: 1. It’s easy to see potential when a ‘stallion’ walks through your door, but what happens when ‘bambi on ice’ arrives to practice? Do you write off that athlete by virtue of your immediate expectations of them based on where they are right now, or do you work to help them to realize their ultimate potential? 2. As a Coach or Leader, what kind of learning environment are you creating through your expectations of your athletes (and staff)? Thanks for reading, |
Take care.
Brian Willis
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