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Setting expectations in your team is necessary but it can be exhausting.

Setting expectations in your team demands some level of tolerance for difficult conversations, and to be the person who harnesses a well-meaning level of disagreeableness.

It’s about setting the culture in your team, to say people like us in a team like this do certain things in certain ways. It puts everyone on the same page, knowing what (at a minimum) to expect from themselves so that they are best positioned to help others.

At times when I’ve not set the scene so well, I’ve then been surprised when a team member asks or pitches something that, to me, seems to have been so obviously rejected in the way we set the team’s expectations. My surprise could so easily have evolved into assumed anger. However…

…with reflection, and only with reflection, I’ve had to notice that I may not have been as clear as I thought. The Welcome Pack for the team might not have made a particular point very clear. I might not have emphasised important point in introductory or weekly meetings. The ball is in my court. It’s my responsibility to set the expectations and, importantly, to hear out any points of confusion, concern, or constructive criticism.

Expectations are as alive as each member of your team. Look after them. Watch them grow. But all the while make sure the don’t ever get abandoned.

How can you best set the expectations for your team?

If you have a question for Marc, upload an audio recording for it to be featured on a later Q&A episode!