I wrote about Fred Rogers here: https://www.50odd.co.uk/mistakes/.
A nice chap by all accounts.
Not least because he instilled in all children.
That they are special.
Narcissist.
Such a straight-forwardly kind approach was, however, interpreted by some quite differently to how Mr. Rogers intended.
Some considered that such a buoying approach to how children are encouraged and supported.
Produced narcissists.
Youngsters.
And eventually oldsters.
That could become defined by a strutting arrogance.
Vanity.
And self-flattery.
Imagining, determinedly, that they can do anything.
My View.
I have a view on this.
I think it is overly simplistic, negative bullshit.
Spouted by the kind of people that can find a cloud for every silver lining.
So I ignore it.
The Golem Effect.
This wee tale is however a neat precursor to what I wanted to spotlight.
The Golem Effect.
The Golem Effect is a psychological phenomenon worth remembering.
Especially by anyone that leads people.
Because if you lead people.
It is such a great responsibility.
It is the responsibility to help them become the best they can be.
To make them feel special.
And so it follows that I’d like to spotlight.
As would Mr. Rogers too, I’d wager.
What The Golem Effect actually is:
The Golem Effect is a psychological phenomenon in which lower expectations placed upon individuals either by supervisors or the individual themselves lead to poorer performance by the individual.
This effect is mostly seen and studied in educational and organizational environments.
So in other words.
A person’s performance declines when supervisors or teachers have low expectations of that person’s abilities.
Special.
Help your people to grow.
Take the time to listen to what they want.
Make them feel special.
Because they are special.
And make sure that The Golem Effect is not a part of your organisation.
Because if they can never maximise.
Neither can you.
