"Expecting the Best"

"Expecting the Best"

We all know that it is important to expect the best from others; yet, it is surprisingly difficult for many individuals to apply this common sense principle. McGinnis explains, “Unfortunately, when many people become leaders they take a different tack and quickly find themselves frozen into the role of police officers. Because of superior knowledge and experience, they think it is their duty to look over people’s shoulders, to watch for errors and discourage cheating. They are there to prevent failure” (28).

Not surprisingly, when leaders take the role of “police officer” within their organizations, they quickly assume an adversarial position and actually discourage employees from compliance with the company goals. McGinnis recommends that leaders spend as little time as possible focusing on team member’s weaknesses or mistakes. Instead, he suggests looking for strengths and focusing on what employees, friends and others are doing right. He explains, “If people know we expect good things from them, they will in most cases go to great lengths to live up to our expectations. If we expect the worst, they will meet those predictions with disappointing accuracy” (28).

McGinnis gives a poignant example of a top salesperson who had performed poorly the previous year and even mentioned quitting several times to her supervisor. Each time, the supervisor convinced her “that she had not tried long enough, that she would not have been hired if there had not been unusual potential in her” (40). The supervisor provides an excellent example of a leader who fostered success by expecting the best others.