Managing Expectations
I’m going to share the one thing I wish someone told me when I was starting out in my leadership journey.
But first, I’m curious if you have been here…
Have you ever seen a job posting go up and wondering why they didn't approach you for the role?
Or perhaps you put in the most hours and crush projects at work, but you got the same raise as everyone else?
Or maybe you were expecting a certain project to go a certain way, but it went in a completely different direction?
Or you were expecting your employees to do something and they didn't?
If there was one thing I wish I would have be told earlier in my career is to stop expecting things to be a certain way. Our expectations create a reality that doesn't yet exist. We create these stories on how everything will ideally unfold and it holds us back from being part of the action to make it happen. We believe that our managers, colleagues or team members will do things that make sense to us. But they don't, they do things that make sense to THEM.
For me, I have always pushed myself forward AND what really bothered me was that I thought (or expected) that I shouldn't have to. I would get frustrated that I had to have every little conversation, I had to advocate for myself, I had be my own cheerleader. All the time. When I started letting go of the expectations of it happening any other way, I found more happiness and more progress toward where I want to be.
So I'm here to tell you what I wish someone else would have told me:
Expectations are disappointment waiting to happen. Instead of expectations, let's embrace communication, boundaries, and action.
Get in the picture! You are the main author of your life and no one else can write it except you. Take action, push your narrative forward, and keep the storyline you want evolving.
I don’t want you to have to navigate your career in the dark! A reason I love what I do is that I get to help guide you through the process of being a manager that no one shares with you. If you’re feeling frustrated or stuck, let’s talk. I offer advice and coaching to help you navigate your career - I would love to connect with you.
With love and gratitude,
Lindsay