Question

A manager hired an applicant based on a previous employer's positive recommendation, the applicant was described as the most capable accountant I've ever worked with in over 20 years in the business. In reality (and in contrast to this recommendation) the applicant only had adequate accounting skills at the time she had started her new position. However, being treated as highly capable increased her confidence and provided her with many opportunities to enhance her accounting skills. Soon, she was able to perform at a much higher level of competence than she did in her previous position (A.) What course concept/phenomenon does this example illustrate?

Answer 1

The scenario describes the Pygmalion effect, where a manager's high expectations and positive treatment improve an employee's performance and confidence, leading to professional growth.

Step-by-step explanation:

The concept illustrated by the scenario provided is known as the Pygmalion effect, which is a psychological phenomenon where higher expectations lead to an increase in performance. In this example, the manager's positive expectation and the subsequent treatment of the applicant as highly capable acted as a catalyst for her to gain confidence and improved skills. This change in performance highlights the impact of managerial perception and expectation on employee development and underscores the importance of managerial influence in professional growth and job satisfaction.