A study by Gallup shows that nearly half of all U.S. employees don’t know what’s expected of them at work.
The survey measures several workplace elements, including employees’ level of agreement about clarity of expectations, opportunities for development and their opinions counting at work.
The study’s authors believe that employees are less engaged at work when they do not have a clear understanding of what’s required of them.
This made me wonder, how can we as leaders, truly know whether our expectations are clear or not?
So, in today’s blog, I’ll be sharing 5 ways you can tell whether your expectations are clear or not. Then in the upcoming blog, I’ll be discussing how you can ensure you set clear expectations every single time.
1. Confusion
Does confusion reign in your team? Is there confusion amongst more than one person about the project, about anything you communicated, or has been communicated by a member of your leadership team? If this is the case, then your team are unclear, and you possibly didn’t communicate your expectations clearly.
2. Deadlines
Does your team consistently miss their deadlines? Does your team seem confused about upcoming deadlines? Do they seem to consistently ask their team mates about the deadline? then your team are unclear and you possibly didn’t communicate your expectation clearly.
3. Performance
Are you noticing a decline in individual or team performance? Are there consistent patterns of underachievement or a lack of progress toward goals? If so, these could be signs that expectations are not clear, leading to subpar performance.
4. Results
Are the outcomes falling short of your expectations or the established benchmarks? If you’re consistently not achieving the desired results, it may indicate a lack of clarity in expectations, hindering the team’s ability to deliver the expected outcomes.
5. Engagement
Do you observe a dip in team morale and enthusiasm? Are employees seemingly disinterested or detached? Poor engagement levels could be linked to unclear expectations, as employees may struggle to connect their efforts to overall goals and outcomes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the clarity of expectations is the backbone of a thriving and high-performing team. As leaders, recognizing the signs of unclear expectations empowers us to address and rectify potential issues promptly. By acknowledging confusion, addressing missed deadlines, monitoring performance, assessing results, and nurturing engagement, we pave the way for a workplace where every team member understands their role and contribution.
Stay tuned for our upcoming blog, where I’ll delve into actionable strategies for consistently setting clear expectations.
Remember, a team that operates with clarity is a team that achieves greatness. Let’s commit to fostering an environment where expectations are not just communicated but understood, creating a culture of excellence and success
Next steps
Listen to the podcast episode on Apple Podcasts
Listen to the podcast episode on Spotify