Managing Expectations

“If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there.” -- Lewis Carroll/George Harrison

Managing expectations is a key element for leadership and organizational success.  A leader needs to know what s/he expects from staff and ensure that these expectations are proactively communicated and well understood by each person on the team. Expectations should be based on values and driven by the organization’s purpose and the leader’s vision. 

Define job success so staff clearly know what you want.  Don’t leave people guessing or assume that others know what you are thinking -- they can’t read your mind!  Goal setting with staff in regularly scheduled individual supervision meetings is a key leadership task.

 The leader also needs to monitor and measure progress to ensure accountability.  People want to know how they are doing and what you think of their work.  And, of course, it is also pretty important to have clear expectations for yourself, too.

For Further Thought:  Think about your expectations of staff. Are you clear what they are?  What can you do to better communicate and help your staff achieve them? Also, think about expectations for yourself. Can you summarize them in writing in a few key phrases?

As a leader, you have an extraordinary opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives. Don’t underestimate your impact! 

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