Goal Settings and Pygmalion Effect

Hi All,

Another Session started with the concept of SMART Goals. Here we made aware of the following parameters to be considered before goal setting :

1) Goal Set

2) Goal Achieved

3) Goal ( Historical )

4) Potential

Here we understood that Goal Set > Potential > Goal Achieved > Goal ( Historical ).

Here SMART is an abbreviation which can have many meanings. I would be listing a few to get an idea.

S - Specific, Simple, Sensible

M - Measurable, Motivating

A - Achievable, Ambitious

R - Rational, Realistic

T - Time Bound, Tangible

Goal setting is something which manifests itself  in so many ways in our lives. On a personal level, setting goals helps people work towards their own objectives—most commonly with financial or career-based goals.For Complex Organizations, Management by Objectives, or MBO , is a concept expressed by Peter Drucker more than 50 years ago. This strategy for managing people, which focuses on managing teams based on their ability to complete individual and team goals. Talking about the goals Drucker suggested that they should be SMART i.e. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time bound.

       PERFORMANCE = SMART GOAL SET X SMART GOAL ACHIEVED.

The Pygmalion effect was discussed extensively in the lecture. I have done some internet research on the same and here are some of my opinions about the Pygmalion effect.

Pygmalion basically refers to the phenomenon where an individual raises his bar when he is expected to do well by his mentors/teachers. This is one of the common scenarios in Schools/ colleges. Teacher expects a lot from their favourite students and the student delivers par or above expectation. It is because the expectation instils confidence in the individual and also makes him aware of his responsibilities which always keep him on his toes. Here, it teaches that every person is special and it is just a matter of realising his/her potential.

For example, Suppose there is an international football match between England and Brazil being played in England. England would play well above their potential because they have their fans backing them all the time. The support and expectation of the fans create a positive vibe amongst the England players and help them perform better. Take one more example of Indian cricket Team. They finally became the world champions in 2011 on their home turf because the expectation was such. The same thing applies to any other sport like tennis, hockey, athletics etc

The Pygmalion effect also explains the teaching culture in the top colleges of World. They develop an atmosphere where expecting a lot out of the student becomes a norm. I am in support of such culture and I feel that miracles do happen in life its only about believing in it.

               "With higher expectations, people perform well."