Do Your Employees Know Your Expectations?
Cathie Leimbach • September 16, 2020
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Years ago, when I was participating in an exchange program to Britain, I was unclear about how to meet my host’s expectations. She asked me to make cucumber sandwiches and handed me bread, butter, cucumbers, and the necessary kitchen tools. I asked her how she wanted me to make them and was told it was up to me.
My only experience with cucumber sandwiches had been at High Tea. The bread had been cut in dainty circles, spread with cream cheese, and topped with a cucumber slice. But my host hadn’t provided a round cookie cutter nor cream cheese. And I thought it strange to put slices of cucumber between two slices of bread. My host left the kitchen and I proceeded to make basic open-faced cucumber sandwiches with quartered slices of buttered bread and a couple of cucumber slices. When she returned, her quizzical facial expression showed this wasn’t what she had in mind.
She was expecting cucumber slices between two slices of buttered bread. She didn’t care whether I buttered the bread or sliced the cucumber first, nor whether the sandwiches were cut into two or four pieces. She had empowered me to make the sandwiches HOW I wished but had assumed that I knew WHAT a cucumber sandwich looked like to her.
Similarly, many employees report that they struggle to meet workplace expectations because they don’t know what their supervisor or the company expects from them. They don’t know if fulfilling 20 takeout orders per hour or calling 75 prospects per day is considered good performance. The sales rep may not know what to do when they get voicemail; do they leave a message or not?
Effective managers are very clear. Each staff member knows what they are expected to accomplish each day. The manager communicates what the staff are to achieve, the volume of work to be accomplished, and the required quality standards.
Providing a very specific description of the results staff are expected to achieve, is essential in developing high performing team members. Start with one result you want that at least one staff person is not pulling off. Show and tell that individual the exact outcome you are looking for. Then, ask them to state your expectations so you can see if your explanation was adequate.
Until they can list all of your expectations - that is, they can accurately describe WHAT the desired result is - they won’t be able to achieve the results you are seeking. The ball is in your court, manager!
As the year comes to a close, it’s worth pausing to ask a simple question: What brought you joy this year at work and in life? Joy doesn’t always arrive in big, headline moments. Often, it shows up quietly—in meaningful conversations, shared laughter, progress made, lessons learned, or the steady presence of people who support us. Sometimes joy is found in growth, sometimes in rest, and sometimes in simply getting through a challenging season with resilience and grace. Take a few minutes to reflect. What moments made you smile? When did you feel most connected? For what are you grateful? This reflection isn’t about ignoring the hard parts of the year. It’s about honoring the bright spots that sustained you through them. Recognizing joy helps us close the year with perspective and open the next one with hope. As the holidays approach, give yourself permission to slow down, savor meaningful moments, and share joy with others—through kindness, gratitude, and presence. May this season be filled with moments that lift your spirit, and may you carry that joy with you into the year ahead. 👉 Take a moment to pause this season—view the Reflecting on Joy one-pager and reflect on what brought meaning to your work and life this year. Wishing you a truly joy-filled Christmas season .
As you’re wrapping presents this season, it’s also a great time to wrap up your year with intention. The end of the year offers a natural pause—a chance to reflect, appreciate, and celebrate the people who made a difference along the way. At work, we often move from one deadline to the next without stopping to say thank you. Take a moment to recognize your teammates. Maybe it’s the coworker who always had your back, or the leader who helped you stretch and grow. A sincere “thank you” or a short handwritten note can go a long way. It doesn’t need to be elaborate—just genuine. The same holds true in your personal life. When was the last time you told a friend or family member how much they mean to you? Between holiday plans and to-do lists, it’s easy to forget that our presence often matters more than any present. Every year brings both highs and lows. As this one comes to a close, choose to focus on what went right. Celebrate the small wins and acknowledge the people who supported you through the challenging moments. So, while you’re taping up gift boxes, take a little time to wrap up your year with gratitude. Send the text. Write the card. Let people know they’re valued. After all, the most meaningful gift you can give is helping someone feel truly appreciated. Want more simple, meaningful ways to express appreciation—without overspending? 👉 View Sharing Joy at Work Without Breaking the Bank for practical ideas you can use right away.