Many of us started off this year with a rush of new opportunities, ideas and goals. Yet, in conversations with some of my colleagues, a common theme surfaces: even though we are working at break-neck speed everyday, we still feel like we are deluged with work. Those goals seem to creep further and further into the distance. Interestingly, it’s not because of volume, it’s because of a lack of clarity surrounding expectations.
Once expectations become clouded, no one is clear on what needs to be accomplished. And, when that happens, you might as well put your project and your team in a vat of quicksand.
I decided to observe how my colleagues were handling their schedules and workloads in concert with their day-to-day operations, on-going technological changes, reorganization and succession planning goals. Many were able to complete a variety of daily assignments, yet just couldn’t get ahead of their workload. Ever.
With the non-stop presence of technology in our day-to-day lives, it is no wonder that we loose sight of the expectations of what it is we are trying to achieve. Over the last decade (and even more so during the last few years), many people are pushing forward on projects with the solitary (and fruitless) purpose of meeting the expectation of completing on time.
Expectations, if not clearly defined at the beginning of a project, can go astray quickly, putting leadership and good teamwork at risk.
Create a clear path of expectations:
1. Identify upfront the goals and objectives for the project by asking these questions:
- Why are we here?
- What we are trying to achieve?
- Who is responsible for what deliverables to meet the overall expectation of the end user (often the client)?
2. Write down the responses with specifics such as: expectations, execution, completion dates, deliverables and next steps forward.
3. Throughout the project, stay focused on the expectations of the project and the roles and responsibilities of each team member in order to successfully complete a collaborative and cohesive project on time.
How to establish expectations:
1. Make sure the expectations come early and are realistic.
2. Engage your team early in the planning of expectations and the individual roles and responsibilities of the project.
Expectations are great:
1. By establishing expectations at the beginning of a project you are able to create accountability markers for your team members.
2. Clear expectations, early, prevent derailment, confusion and a general lack of communication and unease.
3. A more collaborative and focused team will emerge with clear communications to develop and complete a successful project.
4. An ownership environment thrives.
