Published: 10 May 2021 Leaders and employees' self-fulfilling prophecies could be a determining factor in how a business coped during lockdown and how they will go forward during potential continued uncertainty and instability. This is because our beliefs influence our behaviour and actions. A self-fulfilling prophecy was first coined by sociologist Robert K. Merton in 1948 and is best described as belief or expectation (which we might not be consciously aware of) that is capable of influencing whether it happens or not through our subsequent actions. A self-fulfilling prophecy can be positive and negative. If you think for example that you won’t be able to achieve an objective, you may well inadvertently sabotage it. If you are highly motivated and confident in your abilities, you are far more likely to ensure you fulfil your goal.