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 was leadership needed sales more than brand recognition, and employee stated this had never been the expectation. It was assumed from both parties that expectations were understood, but disappointment abounded where the Promise felt broken all around.
It came down to a lack of crucial conversations in the beginning, which would have quite possibly resulted in the celebrity most likely not signing on to be a part of the company.
Not having the hard conversation up front about the roles, goals, and modes in a developing relationship always leads to “hope as a plan”, avoiding the big talk, fending off a divorce before the marriage begins.
And so we go down the road of assumed alignment, while looking over our shoulder for the looming killer of truth about to catch up.
Don’t fall into the trap of assumption. Set expectations, be open, be honest, it will save you years of heartache in relationships, in both business and life.
After years of disappointment in the arrangement, the former athlete and celebrity was let go when assigned the expectations needed, but unwilling to play along with the newly defined role. 6-figures over a number of years that couldn’t be returned, leading to broken relationships and broken promises from both leadership and employed.
A no win situation.
Those who assume a promise has been made and isn’t kept once payday arrives shows the lack of leadership in the first place.
Have the hard talk.
Be open, be frank, be firm.
Be a Leader, keep the Promise.
~ Jason Hewlett
Inspiration Wrapped in Entertainment
- Husband, Father, Writer, Mentor, Hiker
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- Author of #1 Spiritual Self-Help book “The Promise To The One”
- Messenger & President of Cardio Miracle
