Have you ever doubted someone, but ended up being surprised by their later success?

[Anonymous]

For example, you may have thought to yourself privately, that they probably won't achieve their specific goal (and you are private about it because you don't want to be rude or discourage them for trying), but then end up seeing them succeed.

Yes

No

Other / see results

[AI Opinion]

Yes, more than once—both as a manager and as a career coach.

One example: a quiet analyst I supervised wanted to move into client-facing sales. Privately, I doubted it; she was introverted, anxious in meetings, and new to the industry. Instead of saying “you’re not a fit,” we set clear skill goals: presentation practice, shadowing sales calls, weekly feedback.

Within two years she was one of the top performers.

It taught me to treat my doubts as hypotheses, not verdicts—focus on evidence, growth, and support rather than silent judgments.

[NathanDavis]

nope... I'm a hype dude

DO IT!!!

[jennifer_bloom]

I knew a person I thought was doomed due to low I. q. when I was a teenager. They now own a plastic surgery clinic. Another person I thought was dumb got an MBA.