--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: People rise and fall to meet your level…" description: "\"People rise and fall to meet your level of expectations for them. If you express skepticism and doubt in others, they will return your lack of confiden..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d3/john-c-maxwell-113_believe_people-rise-and-fall-to-meet-your-level_650118.jpg" --- # People rise and fall to meet your level of expectations… ![“People rise and fall to meet your level of expectations for them. If you express skepticism and doubt in others, they will return your lack of confidence with mediocrity. But if you believe in them and expect them to do well, they will go the extra mile trying to do their best.” quote by John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d3/john-c-maxwell-113_believe_people-rise-and-fall-to-meet-your-level_650118.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d3/john-c-maxwell-113_believe_people-rise-and-fall-to-meet-your-level_650118.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d3/john-c-maxwell-113_believe_people-rise-and-fall-to-meet-your-level_650118.jpg) > “People rise and fall to meet your level of expectations for them. If you express skepticism and doubt in others, they will return your lack of confidence with mediocrity. But if you believe in them and expect them to do well, they will go the extra mile trying to do their best.” [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People’s performance mirrors the expectations and confidence you show toward them. **In simple terms:** Expectations shape outcomes. Key Takeaway Set high expectations. Themes leadership expectations performance Mood encouraging optimistic Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - team management - coaching - mentoring - education - parenting Key Concepts self-fulfilling prophecy confidence motivation Questions to Reflect On - How do your expectations affect others' confidence? - What steps can you take to balance high standards with support? A Different Perspective If expectations are unrealistic, they can cause stress and burnout. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Expectations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expectations/) [Extra mile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/extra-mile/) [Lack of confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lack-of-confidence/) [Mediocrity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mediocrity/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Rise and fall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rise-and-fall/) [Skepticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skepticism/) ## Related quotes > [If you go to any nunnery and ask them what the main obstacle is, they'll always say low self-esteem and lack of confidence. 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The surest way to encounter discouragement & lack of confidence are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dranil-kr-sinha/discouragement-lack-of-confidence-are-greatest-obstacle-on-the-way-of/) [DrAnil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dranil-kr-sinha/) > [I finally made up my mind I wanted to be an actress and I was not going to let my lack of confidence ruin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-monroe/i-finally-made-up-my-mind-i-wanted-to-be-an-actress-and-i-was-not/) [Marilyn Monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-monroe/) > [It is always difficult when there is a lack of confidence and a lack of belief but it can be good for me to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-koeman/it-is-always-difficult-when-there-is-a-lack-of-confidence-and-a-lack/) [Ronald Koeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-koeman/) > [In my case, the long gaps between my books have got quite a lot to do with lack of confidence. A lot of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-cope/in-my-case-the-long-gaps-between-my-books-have-got-quite-a-lot-to-do/) [Wendy Cope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-cope/) > [Some women can feel under-qualified due to a general lack of confidence whereas, in fact, they are uniquely qualified.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosamund-pike/some-women-can-feel-under-qualified-due-to-a-general-lack-of/) [Rosamund Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosamund-pike/) > [Fear is the result of a lack of confidence. A lack of confidence is the result of not knowing what you can do. A…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/fear-is-the-result-of-a-lack-of-confidence-a-lack-of-confidence-is/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [Lack of confidence is what makes you want to change somebody else's mind. When you're OK, you don't need to convince anyone else in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jada-pinkett-smith/lack-of-confidence-is-what-makes-you-want-to-change-somebody-else-s/) [Jada Pinkett Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jada-pinkett-smith/) > [Take humiliation and keep trying ,earn proper respect for yourself and your soul. Pride only shows lack of confidence, arrogant dirty soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-amorelli/take-humiliation-and-keep-trying-earn-proper-respect-for-yourself-and/) [Jennifer Amorelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-amorelli/) > [Fear creates its own self-fulfilling dynamic- as people give into it, they lose energy and momentum. Their lack of confidence translates into inaction that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/fear-creates-its-own-self-fulfilling-dynamic-as-people-give-into-it/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [“The difficulty comes from our lack of confidence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca/the-difficulty-comes-from-our-lack-of-confidence/) [Seneca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca/) > [One of the most powerful concepts, one which is a sure cure for lack of confidence, is the thought that God is with you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/one-of-the-most-powerful-concepts-one-which-is-a-sure-cure-for-lack/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [Lack of confidence, sometimes alternating with unrealistic dreams of heroic success, often leads to procrastination, and many studies suggest that procrastinators are self-handicappers: rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-surowiecki/lack-of-confidence-sometimes-alternating-with-unrealistic-dreams-of/) [James Surowiecki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-surowiecki/) > [Upon reflection, I decided I had three main weaknesses: I was confused (evidenced by a lack of facts, an inability to coordinate my thoughts,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-child/upon-reflection-i-decided-i-had-three-main-weaknesses-i-was-confused/) [Julia Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-child/) ## More by John C. Maxwell > [“Why do so many people do nothing? I think it’s because most of us look at the evils and injustice around us, and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/why-do-so-many-people-do-nothing-i-think-it-s-because-most-of-us-look/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [You cannot have growth without change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/you-cannot-have-growth-without-change/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/change-is-inevitable-growth-is-optional/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Goals not only help you develop initial motivation by making your dreams obtainable, but they also help you continue to be motivated and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/goals-not-only-help-you-develop-initial-motivation-by-making-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Vision is a picture of a desired future; a picture of something that I don't possess right now, but it is something I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/vision-is-a-picture-of-a-desired-future-a-picture-of-something-that-i/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [If you want to make your mother happy, talk to her. If you want to make your father happy, listen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/if-you-want-to-make-your-mother-happy-talk-to-her-if-you-want-to-make/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Experiences isn't the best teacher - evaluated experience is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/experiences-isn-t-the-best-teacher-evaluated-experience-is/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [A big man is one who makes us feel bigger when we are with him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-big-man-is-one-who-makes-us-feel-bigger-when-we-are-with-him/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Passion gives you an advantage over others, because one person with passion is greater than ninety-nine who have only an interest!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/passion-gives-you-an-advantage-over-others-because-one-person-with/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [I thought if I was open and honest, it would help the reader to get open and honest, and they also would realize sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/i-thought-if-i-was-open-and-honest-it-would-help-the-reader-to-get/) [John C. 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Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Leaders don't rise to the pinnacle of success without developing the right set of attitudes and habits; they make every day a masterpiece.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/leaders-don-t-rise-to-the-pinnacle-of-success-without-developing-the/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Your leadership skills determine the level of your success, and the success of those who work around you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/your-leadership-skills-determine-the-level-of-your-success-and-the/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) [Explore all 1,233 John C. Maxwell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## More Believe quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [The truth seems to be that propaganda on its own cannot force its way into unwilling minds; neither can it inculcate something wholly new;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-truth-seems-to-be-that-propaganda-on-its-own-cannot-force-its-way/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [There is no such word as item girl in the dictionary. People have created this word and I don't believe that I am an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-zariwala/there-is-no-such-word-as-item-girl-in-the-dictionary-people-have/) [Shefali Zariwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-zariwala/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. 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