The Art of Setting Clear Expectations
Cathie Leimbach • October 3, 2023
Being clear about the type of results you want is essential for effective leadership. It provides direction, alignment, and motivation for your team. Here are some tips to help leaders be clear about the results they want:
- Paint a Clear Vision: Create a compelling vision of the desired results. Help your team understand the big picture and why their work matters in achieving that vision.
- Define Specific Goals: Clearly articulate your goals in specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) terms. For example, instead of saying "improve customer satisfaction," specify "increase customer satisfaction scores by 10% in the next quarter."
- Provide Context: Explain the context and the "why" behind the goals. When people understand the reasoning, they are more likely to be engaged and committed to achieving the results.
- Break Down Goals: Divide larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks and milestones. This makes it easier for your team to see the path to success and stay motivated along the way.
- Set Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Identify key metrics and KPIs that will measure progress toward the desired results. Share these metrics with your team so they can track their performance.
- Prioritize: Clearly define which results are most important and should be prioritized. This helps your team focus their efforts on what matters most.
Being clear about the specific results you want will help your team stay focused, motivated, and aligned toward achieving team and organizational goals.
Ever wonder why some companies consistently outperform their competitors? According to Ram Charan's "Leaders at All Levels," the secret often lies in their approach to leadership development. Think about it: when organizations invest in developing leaders at every level, they're not just checking a box for HR—they're directly fueling their economic engine. Charan says that leadership talent is actually the biggest constraint on business growth worldwide. Too many companies treat leadership development as a nice-to-have program rather than a strategic necessity. But those who get it right create a continuous chain reaction of leadership excellence throughout their organization, resulting in measurable business advantages. The most successful companies don't just develop executives at the top. They identify potential leaders early, move them through increasingly challenging assignments, and ensure they gain the necessary skills to drive performance at every level. In today's competitive landscape, your leadership pipeline isn't just about succession planning—it's about creating the sustainable competitive advantage that drives superior business results and economic performance right now.
Have you ever felt like someone wasn't really hearing you? Reflective listening can fix that problem in the workplace. Reflective listening means truly understanding what someone is saying before you respond. When a coworker is speaking, focus completely on their words instead of planning what you'll say next. Many of us start forming responses while others are still talking, which means we miss important parts of their message. True listening requires patience and practice. To become a reflective listener, start by giving your full attention. Put away your phone, turn away from your computer, and make eye contact. Then, after the person finishes speaking, briefly summarize what you heard. You might say, "So what I'm hearing is..." This shows you were truly listening and gives them a chance to clarify if needed. The benefits of reflective listening are huge. It reduces misunderstandings, builds trust between coworkers, and helps solve problems more effectively. People feel valued when they're truly heard, which creates a more positive workplace. With practice, reflective listening becomes a habit that improves all your work relationships. Remember: listen first, respond second. Your workplace will be better for it.