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Share Your Expectations
Conveying a Picture of Success
High achievement always takes place in the framework of high expectations.
—Charles F. Kettering
As clear as your expectations may be in your head or on paper, they can be hard to clearly convey to employees. Instead of using clear language to express expectations, managers say things like:
I'd like you to take care of that customer complaint today. Could you prepare that report for me? We need to make sure the office is organized before we go home tonight.None of these statements clearly defines success for the employee, nor do they allow the employee to engage in a conversation to better understand your expectations. Each indicates that you expect something, but leave room for interpretation.
To convey the same expectations more specifically, you might say:
Return that customer's call today and provide her with a response that is satisfactory to her and to our organization. By 5:00 pm today, compile and create a report ...
