For Managers Only: Don’t Assume They Understand Your Expectations
March 5, 2008 by Darlene McDaniel
Filed under Careers
Take a look at this cartoon from Word Sell, Inc. I found the cartoon while visiting Home Biz Notes. Do you assume your employees understand your expectations? When is the last time you actually clearly communicated your expectations for their specific job assignments, work arrival time, lunch and break time, performance?
It is your responsibility as a manager to clearly communication your expectations. Otherwise you leave it for your employees to interpret for themselves. Many managers spend lots of time frustrated, or angry with those employees who get creative with instructions given. This cartoon depicts creative interpretation on a sign. How can you restructure your instructions to ensure your employees are crystal clear about what you need them to do or accomplish?
Darlene, thanks for your contribution to my contest! You put your finger on an extremely important issue for managers. Like the gas station owner, we sometimes think we’re being clear, but really aren’t. One helpful approach is to test your message before you broadcast it to the world.
Totally agree.
To have a successful career in any company you must know how to build relationships. In addition, one of the most important relationships is between the manager and their direct reports. The strength of this relationship can have a direct result on the success of a team.
You talk about the managers expectations for the staff. What about the other way round. What can the staff expect from the manager?
Yes the relationship between the manager and their staff must be ‘open’ and ‘trustworthy’, that’s a given – but what else should your staff expect from you, their manager?
Andrew
Hi Brad! I enjoyed the comic and the challenge to find a way to make it applicable to my readers. I absolutely love your suggestion about testing the message before broadcasting it!! Very good suggestion.
Andrew - Thank you for visiting my blog today. I appreciate your question about what employees should expect from their managers.
Here are a few that pop into my mind initially:
1. Clear expectations
2. Resources to do their job
3. Feedback
4. Fair treatment
5. Integrity
6. Feedback
7. Fair pay
8. Training
9. Feedback
10. Support
I was intentional about Feedback. I believe it doesn’t happen at the level that it should in organizations. So I repeat it for emphasis. These are the first items that came to my mind. Any one else have a thought about what an employee can expect from their manager?
Darlene,
re: Feedback. You are right - A great boss provides frequent, specific and immediate feedback.
Can I add:
provide clarity of direction
personal objectives
be decisive
be accessible
Andrew