Too often managers do not communicate the goals and requirements of their team, but instead, leave them unsure of what to do and how to do it. This results in hesitation, indecision, lack of performance, and miscommunication.
Properly setting clear expectations for team members will set standards for excellence and results.
Here are a few tips on how to set expectations:
- Start with a vision of what you want the end result to look like. Not just what you want to be done, but the results you want to achieve when the project is completed.
- Keep your focus on the desired outcomes, not on describing each and every step to follow. Your goal is to guide, not control. Letting individuals find their own route encourages them to use their strengths to their fullest potential.
- Tie the mission of the project to each team members’ tasks. People want to know that their role, whether large or small, makes a difference.
- Give feedback—and often! Feedback given along the way sounds more like coaching, not like punishment.
- Give positive reinforcement (and don’t mix negative and positive). Mention the thing you like and you’ll get more of it. Be specific and prompt.
