Amplified engineering

Why are expectations so important?

Expectations make and break relationships, this includes work relationships. Think back to the last person who consistently didn’t meet your expectations.

How are they used by your manager?

Expectations are a tool like anything else, to facilitate alignment between your manager and yourself. When you have strong alignment on expectations (and goals) with your manager, and then you execute against those expectations well, trust is built.

Why is trust so important?

Many times, as a manager, I need to assign a big project opportunity and more often than not, I give those opportunities to an employee who has earned my trust. So, by not meeting expectations, and therefore not earning my trust, the employee is losing out on the opportunity to own a critical project.

How do I build trust in an ambiguous situation?

As a manager, I have learned through the years that my leaders can’t read my mind.

What should I do?

Think about a few of your work or personal relationships. Ponder expectations that you have of the other person, and what expectations they might have of you. If you have a close enough relationship with them, ask them if your expectations assessment is accurate (are you missing any?). The results could be unexpected, and help you grow.