The Importance of Managing Expectations – Personally & Professionally

Setting and managing expectations is crucial for organizational success. It is a primary responsibility of any leader. While we may excel in this aspect with our employees, Joanna Knight OBE, Group CEO of Moneypenny, the UK’s leading provider of outsourced communications, says sometimes we need a reminder to look introspectively.

Managing expectations is a life skill that extends beyond the business world. Evaluating your management techniques and striving to improve them can benefit both your business and personal life. With a new season upon us, one focused on growth and rebirth, it’s the perfect time to take a step back and consider how you can better manage expectations in all aspects of your life. In this article, we’ll explore the importance of managing expectations and provide tips for improving your management techniques.

Setting expectations is good for business.

Setting and managing clear expectations is a basic tenet to success. And there is that five letter word that makes all the difference: clear. Expectations are what you build guidelines and goals from, so that you can empower your people but also give them ownership. If they are not clear, how can they understand what is required of them to realize goals? If you have not set clear, realistic expectations, you are not setting them up for success.

Clear expectations on the other hand, lead to happy people, improved performance, connection to purpose, and improved collaboration. If people understand what is expected of them and the purpose (how their contribution fits into the plan) then they have a stronger sense of connection and will put more effort into their tasks. If they are happy, they will approach their work with more confidence and satisfaction. If everyone in the business understands what is expected of them, then everyone is aligned and working towards the same thing.

Communication is crucial in setting and managing expectations.

Communication. Communication. Communication. That’s what it all comes down to. It is one of the building bricks of good leadership. Leaders need to be able to express ideas and share information with a whole host of audiences. Excellent communicators tend to be excellent leaders.

For some it will come naturally, others it requires work, either way it is something that every leader will need to reflect on throughout their career. The key is to develop your own self-awareness. Learn your strengths and weaknesses and analyze your decisions and emotions. Only when you are aware can you interact successfully and effectively with others.

Tips for setting and managing clear expectations.

Do not assume people know what is expected. This is where frustration on all parts lies and can be a key source of wasted energies. Say it clearly and reinforce it in words that your audience will understand. As individuals we are unique and that means that our perspective is unique, to lead and to collaborate we need to be able to express that in safety and in terms that are clear to everyone involved. It is about using a language that removes ambiguity, using short words to talk about tough topics and taking the time to ensure that expectations are understood. People should feel safe in their work environment to ask questions for clarity or to disagree (healthily!) with expectations of them. Expectations, like communication, are a two-way process.

Managing expectations of ourselves.

It is so often the case, that as leaders, we focus entirely on everyone else, setting them up to succeed. What we need to do is set aside time to apply the same principles to ourselves. We need to give our people all of the tools that we are able to so that they can make life work for them. And we need to do the same for ourselves. We need to look in the mirror. Not only will this help you, but it will help you to lead your people better too.

It is all very well aiming for the stars, being bold, trusting your gut (all topics that I have previously written about – links) but it also needs to be kept in check. Every day is not going to be your best day. You need to acquire the skills to ensure that you are self-aware enough to acknowledge this. Be clear on your leadership style, your strengths and weaknesses, and your purpose. Know who you are and what you stand for, then you can be authentic.

Set boundaries that not only help you define between realistic and unrealistic expectations, placed upon you or you place upon yourself, but also serve as a reminder that you need to recharge. Think about asking a peer to be a mentor, perhaps, or find your tribe with likeminded leaders who can provide moral and practical support. Everyone has a story to share of lessons learned and there is always something to be learned.

Never stop communicating and learning.

Setting and managing clear expectations is a two-way street. It is something that should be developed from the very beginning. Whether that beginning is your first day as CEO or a new hire’s first day, clear expectations need to be set and managed effectively. They also need to be reviewed so that they can evolve alongside the business.

In this two-way street, it is essential for leaders to take the lead. This involves looking at themselves first. It is important to realize the difference between what you want to do and what is possible, as well as what is realistic and what is unrealistic. Understanding these distinctions allows for personal growth, making you a better leader and manager. It enables you to navigate the ever-changing business landscape of the future and get things done effectively.