A computer in England was accidentally programmed incorrectly. It labeled a class of “bright kids” as dumb, and supposedly “dumb” kids as bright. Because no one knew of the mistake, the teacher’s perception of their students was based upon this information. Since perception is greater than reality, it can change reality, and it did in this case.
When the administration discovered the mistake five in half months later, they decided to test the kids again without telling anyone what had happened. The results were astounding!
The “bright” kids had gone down significantly in IQ test points. But the supposed “dumb” group had gone up. In each group, the teachers treated them based on their perception. Amazingly, the kids either lived up or down to those expectations!
The German writer and statesman Wolfgang von Goethe taught, “Treat a man as he is, and he will remain as he is. Treat a man as he can be, and he will become as he can and should be.” Many times in the Bible, names were changed, and by changing a name, it changed the person’s perception of themselves, it became a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Instead of seeing someone’s history, let’s try to see their heart, instead of seeing their past, let’s see their future, and instead of seeing their problems, let’s see their potential. By doing so, we help to become the agent that will unlock their future.