What happens when we expect more from the people around us? When we think highly of someone, like a student, friend, or coworker, we're really saying, "I believe in you." This can be a powerful thing. It can make them feel valued and give them a real chance to do better.
But what if they don't meet those expectations? If we get upset or unhappy about it, aren't we missing the point? We expected more to show our trust, not to set ourselves up for disappointment.
Shouldn't we be careful about how much we expect from others? What if we cheered them on for trying hard, instead of just when they succeed? Could this change the way they see themselves and their abilities?
Let's think about this: How can we encourage others to grow without making them feel pressured by our expectations? Can we learn to be okay when things don't go as we hoped and still keep our trust in others? Maybe the real challenge is not just what we expect from others, but how we deal with things when they go a different way.