
Unclear Expectations: Establishing The Promise
Disappointment usually shows up when expectations aren’t clearly communicated up front. For the last 2 years in discussions with disgruntled employees in organizations I consult with, the main cause of heartache is when unclear expectations leads to broken promises that were assumed and never articulated. Example: I met with a longtime celebrity in the athletic field, now decades past their prime, yet still very relevant due to a legendary career, employed to be a new face & personality of a growing health company. He was brought into the company to raise brand awareness, land some customers through his reputation and connections, while also doing media when the opportunity arose. Months went by of an appearance here, a show or event there, and little, if any, evidence that customers were buying. The leader who made the hire was continually encouraging and asking for numbers, results, eyeballs, and proof of this arrangement working. There was eventually a discussion of needing podcasts and interviews to be consistently delivered in order to justify the paycheck, yet the former celebrity was feeling they were doing way more than asked, while the check-writer was aghast for lack of proven results. What it came down to






