Expectations...

Back in March I was facilitating a class called Setting Goals and Expectations for a group of leaders at my work. It's an interesting group, as they are using Jim Collins' Good to Great to set their strategy. They need a lot of work, because they spend most of their time in survival mode, handling the day to day, and not any time developing relationships or the potential of their employees. Then they wonder why the majority of the staff is on corrective action.



As I sit here this afternoon in my cube, thinking about the next class I'll be designing and facilitating for them, the idea of "Expectations" keeps rolling around in my head.



Thinking about this logically, if an employee performs below expectations they are put on a corrective plan. If they do not improve, they are removed from the position. Normally an employee will try to do better, as people have a need for a job, and it's human nature to want to succeed and do well. If they don't meet expectations, then they have something of value to lose - money, pride, and esteem.



It's interesting to me that this concept only works in the workplace. If someone is not meeting expectations in relationships, it's really hard to have that difficult conversation. But, instead of giving each other a "corrective action plan" they just quit. You still have something of value to lose - love, pride, and esteem - but why isn't it valued as much in life as in a job? Why doesn't the person want to do better?



People spend 8-10 hours a day with their boss and coworkers. A "family" is often formed, where friendships are valued and trust is established. Yet, when expectations aren't met, it's really easy to have that conversation with your coworker (when they are slacking on their share of the project) or from the boss to the employee.

Yet, we can't have the same conversations outside of work. It's easier to quit, then to talk about it.