People do not always expect us to succeed. Maybe your boss does not think you have what it takes to lead a project. Or investors tell you that your idea is unlikely to take off. Or analysts expect your company to flounder over the next quarter.
The Upside of Being an Underdog
Research shows how to use low expectations to your advantage.
January 14, 2020
Summary.
What happens when we think that others expect us to fail? New research shows that “underdog expectations” can actually motivate people to try to prove others, especially those they find less credible, wrong — leading them to perform better. Does this mean that leaders should set low expectations for their team to try to boost performance? Of course not. But the authors do suggest a few things to keep in mind when you’re trying to motivate yourself or your team.
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New!
HBR Learning
Team Management Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Team Management. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
Build a better team and achieve more of what matters.