What makes any task as difficult as it is is uncertainty.
When expectations are not clear, it’s tough to do a good job because we don’t know how “good” is being defined.
When we’re told to do better without an explanation of what better means in that moment to that person, there’s a small likelihood that we’ll actually do better.
If you want a server to kick ass at your dinner table, tell him the type of people and situation he’s working with. “I’m meeting a couple of buddies” and “We’re trying hard to woo these new clients” can influence how the server serves.
Setting others up for success is just as easy and important at work. When a colleague walks into a room, does she know what her responsibility is in the meeting? Is she a note taker? Ideator? Challenger? Silent listener? What’s her role and does she know it?
The saddest part of all of this is when we get mad at others for not living up to our expectations when we never shared them.
Or, perhaps worse, is when we don’t live up to anothers’ expectations because we never asked what they were of us.
Stay Positive & Ask & Tell
Photo credit
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