Get Results Through Clear Communication

Are there constant miscommunications and daily frustrations in your job?

This article is an excerpt from our BizTV video, which can be viewed online, simply click this link. 

Ever wonder what your boss is thinking? Are you ever frustrated when your team doesn’t ever seem to understand what needs to be done?

In this article we will share some tips on how to set clear expectations to get results.

There is a special place between success and failure. It is called “meeting expectations”.  Do not mistake this place for adequate or average. Not at all.

Honing in on the actual expectations is not as easy as it sounds.

The concept of expectations is two sided. The person setting the expectations has one point of view. The person performing the work often has a different point of view.

You can tell when there is a difference in understanding expectations. The manager uses phrases like, “he should know”, “it seems so clear”, or “I don’t understand how it can be so hard”. The employee might say things like, “I just can’t seem to please her” or “he keeps changing his minds”.

You have probably heard these phrases before. A January 2016 Forbes article shares some interesting statistics. A Towers Watson survey shows that half of managers don’t set effective employee goals.

Without clear goals, how is anyone supposed to meet expectations?

Without clear goals, how can everyone be on the same page?

In my past I described this as, “Bring me a different rock”. It is impossible to meet muddy, unclear expectations.

Here are some tips for setting clear goals to get the results you want.

• Tie goals to overall business needs. Otherwise why bother.
• Set three goals for any given period. More than that and the message is muddled.
• Clear expectations are defined by the listener – so be sure the message you are sending about expectations is also received
• Put expectations in writing.
• Provide feedback – Check in regularly. Tell your team how they are doing as compared to the written expectations

If your boss does not set clear written expectations for you, then you need to take initiative. Apply these steps yourself. Have a serious conversation with your boss then put some specific expectations in writing.

In the meantime, check out this great resource to learn more about communicating more effectively or to view other videos featuring other strategic job search tips and tools from The Interview Doctor click here.