"La forma en que ves a las personas es la forma en que las tratas, y la forma en que las tratas es en lo que se convierten"

How you perceive others directly influences how you interact with them, and ultimately shapes who they become. It’s like a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you see someone as lazy or incompetent, you’re likely to treat them with frustration or dismissiveness. Over time, that person may start to embody those negative traits because of how they're being treated. On the other hand, if you see someone as capable and full of potential, you'll treat them with respect and encouragement, which can help them grow and succeed.

This idea isn’t just theoretical—it’s been observed throughout history. Take the Pygmalion effect, for example. This phenomenon, named after the mythological Greek sculptor who fell in love with a statue he created, was identified in a 1968 study by Robert Rosenthal and Lenore Jacobson. They found that teachers' expectations about their students could significantly affect the students' academic performance. When teachers believed certain students were capable of great things, those students performed better, simply because the teachers treated them differently.

Let’s bring this down to earth with a real-life example. Think about a workplace scenario. Imagine there's a new employee, Sarah, who’s a bit shy and reserved. If her manager sees her shyness as a lack of confidence or skill, the manager might give her less challenging tasks. Over time, Sarah might start to believe she’s not capable of handling more complex work, leading her to remain in a state of underperformance. But what if the manager instead sees her as someone with untapped potential? By offering support and opportunities for growth, the manager could help Sarah blossom into a confident, valuable team member.

So, how can you apply this wisdom in your own life? Start by being mindful of your initial judgments about people. Challenge yourself to look beyond first impressions and see the potential in others—even if it’s not immediately obvious. When interacting with someone, especially in roles like teaching, managing, or parenting, try to focus on their strengths and possibilities rather than their limitations. Offer encouragement, provide opportunities for growth, and be patient.

Picture this: You’re a coach for a kids' soccer team. One of the players, Alex, is always lagging behind during drills. It’s easy to label Alex as the "slow kid" and not give him much playing time. But what if you saw Alex’s potential instead? Maybe he just needs a bit of extra encouragement or a different training approach. By spending a little more time with him, giving specific feedback, and celebrating his small victories, you might see a remarkable improvement. Alex could become one of your most dedicated and improved players—all because you believed in his potential and treated him accordingly.

In the end, it's all about perception shaping reality. By seeing the best in people and treating them with respect and encouragement, you’re not just being kind—you’re helping them become the best version of themselves. It’s a powerful cycle, and it starts with you. So next time you’re tempted to judge someone harshly, pause and think about what they could become with a bit of belief and support from you. It might just change their life—and yours.