How can you set clear boundaries at work and still feel like you are a team player? In this episode of ICommunicate, Mark discusses how to recognize what you expect of your boss, your peers, your direct reports, and meaningful personal relationships. Learn how to differentiate between a request and expectation and how to get to the root cause of what you truly expect of others.

Segment 1:

We often create expectations for people that they are unaware of, and subsequently become disappointed when said expectations are not met. How can we clarify those expectations and avoid future let downs? How does detail orientated communication play into expectations?

Segment 2:

The breakdown of communication can be narrowed down to three factors: unclear expectations, core values, and ambiguity. When communicating with others, we must consider three questions: What expectations are we setting, and what are the rules for creating them? How do we clearly communicate our core values? And finally, how do we remove ambiguity and achieve clarity?

Segment 3:

Just because we believe we communicated our expectations effectively, doesn’t mean that the receiver of that information perceives it in the same way. How does setting and managing clear and attainable expectations impact the workplace? What are the two simple steps in eradicating the; “I told them what I want, but they don't listen,” mindset, and how do we benefit from correcting it?

Segment 4:

Think about how you define your expectations; Are you clear in what you want and need? How can we balance accountability and empathy in a conversation? How can we allow room for “effortless empathy” in conversation through the application of introspection?