Clarify Expectations

Clarifying expectations is to create shared vision and agreement about what is to be done up front. This is one of those behaviours that people rarely pay enough attention to. It is the behaviour of prevention because if you focus on this one up front, you will avoid heartaches and headaches later on.

Clarifying expectations can be challenging. We each bring our own meaning to language and experience. Meaning is not in things; it's not even necessarily in words. Meaning is in people. So even if you and I agree on something, we need to make sure we understand the words we're using in the same way. Clarifying expectations makes a huge difference at home. If you're married, for example, consider how much disappointment and contention come as a result of unclear or differing expectations regarding roles and responsibilities. Maybe your spouse expects you to handle the finances, discipline the children, or take out the garbage because that's they way it was done in the home where he/she grew up - but you expect your spouse to do those things because that's the way it was in your home. You've never really gotten the issue out on the table and come to a resolution, so it's always a sore spot in the relationship. If you're a parent, consider how much time and energy are wasted when you don't take time to clarify expectations concerning responsibilities or other issues at home. Keep in mind that clarifying expectations is always a two-way street. People have to have the opportunity to push back, to help come to an expectation that is realistic and will work from both points of view. Compiled From: "The Speed of Trust" - Stephen M. R. Covey, pp. 193-196