Ever felt frustrated when a team member didn’t deliver what you expected? You thought they understood, but somehow, the result missed the mark. Here’s the truth: expectations that aren’t communicated don’t exist.
The Cost of Unspoken Expectations
One of the biggest mistakes leaders make is assuming their team automatically knows what they want. You may think your expectations are obvious or that a good employee should just “figure it out.”
But when people don’t meet those expectations, it leads to confusion, inefficiency, and frustration.
Think about it—how many times have you been disappointed by a result, only to later realize you never clearly communicated what you wanted? The longer this pattern continues, the more it damages trust.
Your team starts second-guessing your priorities, and you become increasingly frustrated with their lack of follow-through.
The Solution: Clear, Consistent Communication
To prevent misunderstandings and wasted effort, leaders must take ownership of how they communicate expectations. Here’s how:
- Clarify your expectations for yourself – Define what success looks like before discussing it with your team. If you can’t articulate it, they won’t be able to deliver it.
- Be direct and specific – Instead of saying, “I need this report to be better,” say, “I need this report to include sales data from the past 12 months, a summary of trends, and three recommendations for improvement.”
- Confirm understanding – Ask your team to repeat back what they heard to catch any misinterpretations early.
- Follow up and provide feedback – Setting expectations isn’t a one-time event. Regular check-ins ensure alignment and course correction when needed.
Unspoken expectations slow your business down, but clear communication creates alignment, confidence, and better results. Be intentional about setting expectations, and watch how it transforms your leadership and business growth.
