What You Meant vs. What They Heard!
Have you ever given what you thought were really clear instructions on a project—only to have it go completely sideways?
Ever found yourself thinking, “I swear I explained this already…”?
If you’re nodding right now, you are not alone—and this episode is definitely for you.
🔹 The Myth of Common Sense
Here’s a hard truth: What’s obvious to you is not obvious to everyone else. And yet, we operate like it is.
We assume people “just know” what to do, how to do it, and what good looks like.
But assuming clarity is where communication breaks down.
If you've ever caught yourself thinking:
• “Why would they do it that way?”
• “They should’ve known better…”
• “Isn’t that common sense?”
You might have an expectation gap on your hands.
And here’s the kicker—when expectations aren’t clear, people default to what’s easiest or most familiar…not necessarily what’s right for the job.
🔹 Signs You Haven’t Been Clear
Let’s do a quick check-in. Here are some red flags that your expectations might not be landing:
• You feel like you’re constantly repeating yourself
• Work comes back incomplete or off-target
• Deadlines are missed
• People seem unsure or hesitate to make decisions
• You’re doing more “course correction” than coaching
These aren’t just performance issues. They’re communication issues. And they’re fixable.
🔹 How to Set Clear Expectations
Let’s make this practical. Here’s a 5-step framework you can use right now:
1. Be Specific. Describe the task, the outcome, and what success looks like. Not just “do the report”—but “complete the weekly sales report, include X and Y, and submit it by 10 AM every Monday.”
2. Provide a Timeline. Don’t say “ASAP.” Be precise. When does it need to be done, and why that timeline matters?
3. Clarify the Standard. This is big—don’t just say “do a good job.” Define what “good” actually means. Quality, format, tone, accuracy… what matters here?
4. Offer Support. Ask: “What do you need from me to be successful?” Make sure they have the tools, access, or info they need.
5. Confirm Understanding. Ask them to summarize what they heard. Not to quiz them—but to make sure you’re truly aligned.
Simple? Yes. Easy to do consistently? Not always. But that’s where the real work of leadership lives.
🔹 Resetting When Things Go Off Track
What if you’ve already dropped the ball?
Maybe you weren’t as clear as you thought—and now the work is behind, wrong, or frustrating for both of you.
Here’s a script you can use to reset expectations without blame:
“Hey Joe, I realized I may not have been as clear as I could have been about this project. Let’s take a few minutes to make sure we’re on the same page moving forward.”
That one sentence can shift a defensive conversation into a collaborative one. And it shows humility—a trait your team will respect.
So, here’s your challenge this week:
✅ Pick one task, project, or role where you’ve been assuming clarity
✅ Use the 5 steps to reset and clarify expectations
✅ Watch how much smoother things start to run
Remember—clarity is kindness. It’s not micromanaging. It’s not controlling. It’s giving your team what they need to succeed.
To make this even easier, I’ve created a quick tool for you: 📑 Clear Expectations = Better Results: Grap Your copy here: https://www.lftconsult.com/downloads
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