Elevate performance by setting a sterling reputation

At the nonprofit where Rosa worked, fundraising had stalled. Donations plateaued, and morale was low. The board was ready to shake things up, but no one wanted to step forward. Then the executive director asked Rosa into her office and said, “Rosa, your quiet persistence gets results. You know our donors better than anyone. I’m counting on you to lead this year’s gala committee.” Rosa blinked—she’d never led anything that big. Yet the director’s words lit a fire. Over the next weeks, she visited long-time donors with a calm confidence she’d never felt before. She negotiated sponsorships, fine-tuned the theme, and rallied volunteers. The gala raised 40% more than the previous year. All because she was given a reputation to live up to—and she did.

Social psychology research confirms the self-fulfilling prophecy: when you tell someone they possess a prized trait, they work harder to validate it, improving performance by up to 30%. By casting an empowering vision, you inspire people to surpass their own expectations.

You single out a genuine strength, cast it forward into a bigger role and trust them to live up to their reputation. With this gentle nudge, you’ll watch them step up and reshape your team’s success. Give it a try this week.