People who get results have a slightly different way of receiving expectations.

Hello, this is Iguchi.

As a sole proprietor, I spend my days forming and testing hypotheses while exploring WEB marketing and sales promotion methods that can be practiced even with a small budget.

In this note, I focus on marketing terms that you might have heard of but are often used in a surprisingly vague way. Based on my own research and real-life experience, I have summarized them in the simplest language possible.

I hope that even those who are not comfortable with technical jargon will find this helpful and think, 'I see, that's what that means.'

By the way, have you ever felt like, 'This person always seems to get results...'?

Even though you are working just as hard, for some reason the results are different.
Behind that difference, the power of 'invisible expectations' might be at work.

For example, have you ever had the experience of feeling a bit more motivated when someone told you, 'You can do it'?

Actually, that is a phenomenon called the 'Rosenthal effect' in psychology.

When people are expected to do something by others, their behavior changes to try and meet those expectations.

When I looked into it, I realized, 'This is a story that deeply relates to both work and life.'

In this article, let's look together at how we can use that 'power of expectation' to bring out the potential in ourselves and those around us.

What exactly is the Rosenthal effect?

The Rosenthal effect is also known as the 'Pygmalion effect' and is explained like this:

'When people are expected to do something by others, they are more likely to produce results that align with those expectations.'

Hmm, I see.
In other words, when you are expected to do well, your performance improves!
But this alone is a bit abstract and doesn't quite click, does it?

Let's think about it with a familiar example! 'This kid might be a genius!?'

To make it easier to understand, let's think about a familiar example.
Imagine you are an elementary school teacher.

One day, the principal whispers to you, 'Mr./Ms. [Name], actually, there is a child in this year's class who has incredible hidden talent. They are a real gem whose future I'm really looking forward to!'

Upon hearing those words, the teacher unconsciously begins to have expectations for that child.
'I see, this child is amazing...!'
During class, the teacher will listen more closely to that child's comments and pay more attention to the quality of their homework.

Perhaps they might give them slightly more difficult problems than the other children or give them more opportunities to present.
And what happens?

The child who is expected to do well will work even harder at their studies to meet the teacher's expectations.

The teacher's warm gaze and words become confidence, and they actually start getting better and better grades...!

This is exactly the Rosenthal effect.
The teacher's 'expectation' changed the student's 'behavior,' which resulted in 'results.'

The Rosenthal effect for sole proprietors and freelancers

So, how can this Rosenthal effect be useful for our activities as sole proprietors and freelancers?
I've thought about it in my own way, so let me list a few practical examples.

1. Expectations for clients

We often work on projects together with clients, don't we?

What would happen if we approached them with the sincere expectation that, 'This client will make the most of our proposals and achieve wonderful results!'?

Surely, the way we speak in meetings and the enthusiasm of our proposals would change.
Our expectations would be conveyed to the client, and as a result, the client might also work with higher motivation, thinking, 'Alright, I'll live up to those expectations!'

2. Expectations for team members

If you have a partner you are asking for help, or team members you are working on a project with.

Trust them and entrust them with the work, thinking, 'He will surely finish this task in the best possible way!'

Then, the person entrusted with the work might also develop a feeling of 'I want to live up to those expectations!', think and act for themselves, and demonstrate performance that exceeds expectations.

3. Expectations for yourself

And the most important thing is 'expectations for yourself'.
We sole proprietors and freelancers are, for better or worse, in a battle with ourselves, aren't we?

Strongly expecting of yourself, 'I will surely be able to acquire this new skill!' or 'I can make this project a success!'

This is not just groundless confidence; by believing in yourself, your behavior changes, and you actually get closer to achieving your goals.

I think the Rosenthal effect can be a powerful tool to bring out your own potential.

When I tell myself, 'Alright, I can do it!', I feel like I really get a boost of energy.

Summary: Expectations are a power. But leave some room in how you apply them.

What I felt after learning about the Rosenthal effect was that 'expecting' itself has a great power to influence people's behavior and results.

When someone expects something of them, people unconsciously change their behavior, thinking, 'I want to respond' or 'I'll try a little harder.'

The accumulation of that leads to results—
I think this is a story with many implications for sole proprietors and freelancers as well.

However, on the other hand, if expectations are too strong, they can become 'pressure' or a 'burden' for some people.
There are cases where the more you think, 'I have to live up to expectations,' the more you become unable to move.

Therefore, what is important is the balance between
'expectations that trust and entrust' and 'a distance that does not corner them.'

For clients, colleagues, and yourself, rather than expectations that dictate results, direct 'expectations that believe in potential and watch over them' toward them.

Expectations are most effective when they are a 'tailwind' to take a step forward, not something to bind people.

I feel that if we can get along well with the power of expectation with that kind of distance, both work and relationships with people will become a little easier.

Thank you for reading until the end.

I would be happy if this article led to a small realization of 'I see, that's what it was!' or a hint for your ideas.

It would be very encouraging if you could follow me.
I will also follow you back ^^