Chapter 23. Expect the Best

Psychologists call it a self-fulfilling prophecy: Physicians know it as the placebo effect. Whatever you call it, it is a proven fact: people tend to get the results that they expect. This is why inspirational leaders can bolster the confidence and performance of their followers simply by believing in them. By communicating that belief to their followers, leaders often get exactly the results they expect.

There is no doubt that MacArthur was a believer in this phenomenon. General John J. Pershing related the following incident that had taken place before a battle in WWI:

[MacArthur] went forward to the battalion that was to lead the way. He said to the Major in command, “Now, when the barrage lifts, I want you to ...

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