While clear communication is important in everything you do as a leader, one aspect that deserves special attention is setting expectations. It’s an area many executives take for granted when they assume people understand what’s expected or when they think they don’t need to explicitly communicate expectations.
Your role as a leader is to set the direction and lead others to achieve the vision. In the process, they need to clearly understand your expectations. If you’re not clear with them, they will waste time either trying to figure out what you expect or guessing.
This can be frustrating for everyone. You get frustrated that they didn’t do what you expected, and they get frustrated that they didn’t understand, potentially wasted time, and disappointed you.
If you are clear up front about what you expect from others, you set them up for success right from the beginning. Everyone will save time and be more effective in the end. Even if you’re absolutely sure someone understands what you expect, they will still appreciate it if you reiterate your expectations.
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP ACTION PLAN
With whom on your team do you need to set clear expectations?
What can you do to better communicate your expectations in your organization?
“Trust men and they will be true to you; treat them greatly and they will show themselves great.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
