Managing Expectations: The Ultimate Ingredient For Business Confidence. (The Worksheet)

Managing expectations is one of my favorite phrases. It encapsulates the importance of being clear and explicit. 

But in business, people often overlook this crucial practice, leading to misunderstandings and unmet goals. Just ask Tanya Osensky, or Katie Sparks-Moore, or any attorney who has navigated the complexities of drafting or amending contracts.

Don’t skip the details. 

When you are excited about your work ideas, it’s tempting to rush through the details. You want to get things done. 

But ideas are just that: ideas. Not a plan, not a task, and not specific. 

To make the idea a reality, you have to outline what the plan looks like, how it will be executed, and who is responsible for each task.

Assuming that everyone is on the same page without clear communication can cause significant issues down the line.

When clarity is lacking

Think of my Italian friend who asked his non-Italian wife to pick up “Scottex” at the store. They had paper towels, but not the Scottex brand, so she didn’t buy any. But he was using the word generically, to mean “any paper towel”. 

Or when my mother—at the time new to English—was asked by a colleague to “write it down.” So she took paper and pen and went to a downstairs office, wondering why she couldn’t write upstairs. 

Or that spouse-run business, who told me they wanted to become a top 10 in their industry. When I asked them why, the husband said he wanted to work forever, and the wife said she wanted to sell in 10 years. 

Situations where everyone thought they agreed, but they were saying different things.

Manage your expectations

Be clear from day 1. 

Fill in this week’s worksheet with your business partners and be clear and specific about your mission, your goals, and who will be responsible for what parts of your business. 

If you work alone or are a sole-owner, do this exercise out loud with a trusted friend or adviser. 

What next

Business strategy defines your company’s values, goals, and processes. Contact me today to get started.