Opus Magnum

Having expectations is important, having a shared expectation is key.  Successful relationships, prosperous businesses and customer satisfaction are all built on shared expectations.  A consumer expects a product to fulfill its purpose for purchase, businesses expect employees and vendors to fulfill their work requirements, and partnerships are formed on shared expectations for love and happiness. Even a job description establishes clear expectations for what employees are hired to complete on a day to day basis.

Surprisingly, over 50% of marriages end in divorce, only a quarter of UK customers are repeat shoppers. In the hospitality industry alone, the turnover rate for employment is over 75%, leading to employers paying far more to hire a new employee, than to keep a current one.

So what can be done to limit unrealistic or unmet expectations?

Here are several factors that should be considered for any future personal or professional partnerships.

Get it in writing, get it up front

Job descriptions set clear expectations for employees, as does the salary and benefits package.  Employees and companies know exactly what is expected and what their return should be, i.e. salary.  But often times, more job duties are added, hours are extended and expectations become unclear.  Asking for an updated job description, or writing out a plan of attack for any future project are great ideas.  One can also utilize the SMART tactic of goal planning which includes establishing Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely goals. Creating SMART goals and having written documents ensures everyone has the same frame of reference to review while working towards the same goal or goals.

Meet frequently, review and revise

Managers and partners should continue to discuss how goals or expectations have evolved.  Unfortunately, and fortunately, nothing can be set in stone.  As organizations and needs evolve, so should the expectations previously set.  Setting aside time on a regular basis to ensure all parties are aware of the current and evolving expectations will allow open communication as well as the opportunity to re-engage in previously set goals.  During these meetings, it is also important to take the time to understand why expectations are important to a specific individual, a customer or the company.  This establishes a cohesive front that understands each other and the motives behind each partner.

Share the same goal

Common goals enable people to band together as well as feel motivated to complete large or small tasks together that can assist in achieving the big picture.  Employers should want their constituents to continue to grow and prosper; managers should seek to develop team members so that promotions are possible.

Celebrate successes 

Achievements take dedication and hard work.  Individual and team accomplishments should be celebrated as a group, no matter the circumstance.  Small achievements should also be part of everyday successes as they are important to the end goal.  This encourages progress as well as strengthens the partnership or community.

While it may be difficult to agree on each and every expectation, or understand a specific individual’s desires, these steps will assist with maintaining a successful partnership engaged with achieving the same goals together.  Creating individual, team and product oriented expectations will allow a cohesive workforce, partnership as well as raise customer return rates.  Transparent and well formulated expectations create a common front that is charged to exceed any goal, large or small.

Obtaining the title, “the most rejected person in the world,” doesn’t come easy.  USA Today granted Daniel Seddiqui this honor after failing 40+ job interviews and sending out 18,000 emails looking for volunteer positions.  While obtaining one job proved far too difficult, Seddiqui opted for a loftier goal, to work 50 jobs in 50 states in the course of a year.  From September of 2008, to September of 2009, Seddiqui spent one week in a new occupation in each of the different states.  From Lobsterman in Maine, to late night Meteorologist in Ohio, this job seeker sought to learn about different cultures, environments and careers offered in America.

Within his first month of career exploration, Seddiqui was a Cartographer in North Dakota, a Rodeo Announcer in South Dakota, in Colorado he was a Hydrologist and worked in Humanitarian Services in Utah.  Throughout his 50 careers, 48 resulted in full time job offers.  As a keynote speaker for the Minnesota Career Development Association Conference, Seddiqui shared touching stories of the 50 different families who took him in each week, the work communities he was quickly welcomed into and his personal growth throughout the trials and tribulations of this extensive journey.

As a career coach and lover of all things relating to travel, this story actually made me jealous.  I have the privilege of assisting students and alums with working towards their career goals.  Each day I review resumes of different professional backgrounds and listen to stories of accomplishment or distress from the world of banking, marketing and corporate America.  Listening to the 50 different stories told through 50 different occupations heightened my awareness for the ability to learn not only from an academic and professional setting, but also on a level that is only created through personal and cultural contact.  Seddiqui saw what it took to be a miner, working alongside the lines of coal stained workers.  But more importantly, he also listened to stories of families who had worked in the same mines for generation after generation. He witnessed the strength, determination and compassion the team had for their coworkers as most teams stay in a four mile deep pit for weeks on end. (more…)