Welcome to the 2nd Instalment of our #ExpectationSeries. If you are yet to read the first installment, please head on to our blog page and click/tap on the blog topic: “Understanding The Basics: What Are Expectations?”
Introduction
Why do expectations matter in leadership? Let’s begin by setting the stage with a real-life leadership scenario. One that demonstrates the impact of expectations.
Imagine a team…led by a seasoned executive…preparing for a new quarter…
The leader takes time to reflect on what s/he wants the new quarter to look like for the team (outcomes, strategy, productivity, and performance). S/he then meets with the team to work out the details of the reflection. Together, they: determine the specific outcomes to achieve, come up with a practical plan to achieve those outcomes, determine the roles and responsibilities of all team members, set up a monitoring system, assign tasks for everyone, agree on everything discussed, document everything agreed on, then get to work.
The leader leaves the meeting confident that the team will meet the set expectations for the new quarter. The team members leave the meeting motivated, inspired and laser-focused on their tasks and responsibilities. The new quarter unfolds with remarkable efficiency and results, going beyond the set expectations.
Now, picture an alternative scenario…
The leader is not clear about what the new quarter will look like for the team but s/he knows they want the team to be successful. So the leader lists a few goals they want the team to work on and schedules a meeting to tell the team about the goals. There is no in-depth discussion about the new quarter because there’s no clear destination and therefore, no clear path. The leader assigns tasks and sets targets, team members ask a few questions, the leader emphasises the need for team members to carry out their tasks and hit their targets. The leader then gives a motivating speech about making the new quarter count and everyone disperses with the list of goals, tasks, and targets in hand.
In this case, team members will very likely approach the new quarter with scepticism and hesitation. Their work will become frustrating because their efforts will be significantly ‘spread abroad’ as the success markers keep changing to reflect the unclear direction. Their performance will be lacklustre, productivity will be low, and the team will fall short of its potential for the quarter.
In these scenarios, the difference lies in the presence and clarity of expectations. Both scenarios paint a picture of what happens in social systems, making it clear that expectations wield significant power in the realm of leadership. In this blog post, we’ll dive into precisely why they matter.
Expectations in Leadership
Leaders, more than anyone, understand the significance of vision and direction. Expectations are the cornerstones of that vision. They shape a leader’s perspective, not only about the future but also about their team’s capabilities and potential. When leaders set clear expectations, they create a roadmap for success and inspire their teams to excel.
Expectations, like I said in the last post, are the silent architects of leadership. They influence the choices leaders make, the strategies they employ, and the values they instil in their teams. A leader who is clear about their expectations (destination, how to get there, and how to do it with excellence), breeds a culture of high performance. On the other hand, a leader who is unclear about their expectations inadvertently limits their team’s growth and potential.
The Ripple Effect
The influence of a leader’s expectations doesn’t stop at the team level; it ripples through the entire organisation. When leaders have clear expectations, they’ll guide their people towards excellence, setting a standard for performance that becomes contagious. Team members also raise their own expectations, striving to meet and even surpass the bar set by their leader. This ripple effect extends to organisational culture and performance.
In contrast, when leaders have unclear expectations, they’ll guide their people through muddled ‘waters’, setting the stage for low productivity and unwittingly cultivating a culture of mediocrity. Team members, mirroring their leader’s outlook, may become complacent and fail to reach their full potential. This not only hampers individual growth but also impedes the organisation’s progress.
A Real-Life Leadership Example
A well-known CEO of a struggling company takes the reins during a challenging period when the organisation is facing financial turmoil and low employee morale. In spite of the challenging circumstances, this CEO is confident the organisation can wade through this storm and goes ahead to set clear expectations for the company’s comeback.
Under this leader’s guidance the entire organisation experienced a significant transformation and here’s a summary of what happened:
1.) Cultural Shift: the set expectations extended to the company’s culture, causing employees to believe in the company’s potential and fostering a newfound sense of determination and connectedness.
2.) Innovation and Collaboration: the clear outcomes and direction encouraged employees to think creatively and work collaboratively, leading to innovative solutions and efficiency.
3.) Improved Performance: with employees knowing what is expected and how they fit into the picture, they push themselves to achieve more than they initially thought was possible, resulting in improved performance and enhanced productivity.
4.) Financial Turnaround: The company starts to recover financially, exceeding its forecasted targets and improving its profitability. This significant turnaround was the result of the CEO’s ability to work with their team to set clear expectations.
As you can see, expectations matter a great deal in leadership because they are the catalyst for change and the compass that guides teams and organisations toward success. Great leaders understand this power and leverage it to propel their teams and organisations to remarkable heights. In our next blog post, we’ll explore the art of setting the right expectations that can lead to transformative leadership.
Lead Right and Live Light
Belinda
