- Outline your expectations. …
- Explain the importance. …
- Put yourself in their perspective. …
- Consider past actions. …
- Meet with employees regularly. …
- Get a detailed commitment. …
- Provide helpful resources. …
- Check in with employees.
Communicate Expectations
Tips for effective communication
There are some guidelines to follow in order to communicate your expectations to staff members clearly. Below are some tips for communicating your expectations effectively:
Why is it important to communicate your expectations at work?
Employees can perform better in their roles and accomplish goals when managers and leaders clearly communicate their expectations to them in the workplace. Effectively communicating your expectations to staff members as a manager can help to clear up any misunderstandings and encourage more successful task completion.
Some other benefits of communicating your expectations include:
How to communicate expectations with your team
Making your expectations of your staff clear in advance can result in a more organized and effective workplace. Here are some actions you can take to help your team know what you expect of them:
1. Outline your expectations
Clarify the tasks you need completed as well as the deadline when giving team members their tasks. Make sure your objectives are reasonable and reachable so that your staff can accomplish them. Prior to informing your employees of their responsibilities, having a plan in place will help you prepare your speech and ensure that you don’t forget any crucial details.
2. Explain the importance
Employees who comprehend the rationale behind your expectations are more likely to value and heed your instructions. Employees are more motivated to fulfill requests when they have a goal in mind and understand what they will achieve. For example, instruct staff to turn in projects by the end of the month so that you can review them promptly. Employees are then aware of the purpose of their assigned deadline and how their actions impact the overall work process.
3. Put yourself in their perspective
When delivering information to your staff, keep them in mind. Consider what details they’ll find interesting or how a particular set of instructions applies to them. When announcing any new or existing expectations, address any worries you believe they may have. Ensure that what you are saying is understandable to people in other positions.
4. Consider past actions
When giving tasks to staff members, take into account how they have completed projects in the past. Those who currently satisfy your requirements might do so in the future and are probably aware of what you are expecting of them. However, for staff members who require assistance in achieving their objectives, make more specific requests so they are aware of what is expected of them. Think about having a private meeting with them to discuss their prior performance and determine if there is anything you need to clarify for them.
5. Meet with employees regularly
Hold frequent one-on-one and team meetings to help clarify any confusion that the staff may be experiencing. This presents an opportunity to reiterate your expectations and maintain employee accountability. You can also respond to additional inquiries that staff members have at this time. Reward those who perform well so they understand what you deem successful for the specific task or situation. Along with holding meetings, make yourself available so that staff members can contact you if they require assistance or are unsure of what you require of them.
6. Get a detailed commitment
Request that workers complete a particular task by a certain date. This helps prevent any hesitations about who is doing what. A thorough commitment can serve as a record of an agreement and keep staff members responsible. Make clear who is responsible for completing each step of a task to avoid confusion.
7. Provide helpful resources
Make resources available to assist employees in completing their tasks. Having a company handbook or style guide on hand can help employees understand the expectations of their position and how to behave at work. Think about including website links or other resources that will make employees’ jobs easier.
8. Check in with employees
Hold a follow-up meeting to check in with employees to find out how they are doing and where they are in their project. To ensure that employees are still aware of your expectations after setting initial goals, think about meeting with them a few days later. To demonstrate your trust and concern for them and their desire to improve their workflow, keep the meeting brief. Early monitoring of employee performance can help prevent mistakes later in the project.
FAQ
What are the communication expectations?
Listen for understanding and take action. Be respectful in your communication with others. Participate effectively in work conversations. Reduce information overload by not communicating with a large enough audience.
How do you articulate expectations?
- Make them clear for yourself. …
- Know where you need expectations. …
- Understand why. …
- Meet and discuss. …
- Make it mutual. …
- Write them down. …
- Get agreement and commitment.
How do you communicate expectations in a relationship?
- Prioritize appreciation over expectations. …
- Express compassion. …
- Show respect. …
- Demonstrate consideration. …
- Devote time to your partner. …
- Never question the nature of your relationship. …
- Avoid repetition. …
- Never threaten your relationship.
How would expectations be communicated and reinforced?
When communicating your expectations, just like in any other conversation, use plain language. According to Lotze, repetition and simplicity of the message are the keys to effective communication. One hearing won’t be enough to make your expectations stick; you need to reinforce them frequently instead.
