Expectations communicate, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the level of belief you have in people.

Ralph Waldo Emerson asserted, “Our chief want in life is somebody who will make us do what we can.”

When expectations are high, they create a focus that translates into energy.

Leaders failing to raise the expectation bar impede people’s potential, limit their thinking, restrict their vision, and quietly allow mediocrity to become the standard.

German writer, dramatist, and poet Goethe said: “Treat a man as he is, he will remain so.” In other words, the way you see people is the way you treat them and the way you treat them is what they become. The parent who sees their two-year old child as being in the “terrible twos” will no doubt communicate that expectation and even excuse their behavior at times due to this stage in their life. Two-year-olds are incredibly smart. They will live up to your every “terrible two” expectation.

Complaints Are Heard

Talk about communicating expectations. How about the supervisor who upon hiring a new team member commented: “You’ve got the job, but we’re going to keep the ad running just in case this doesn’t work out.” There’s a confidence builder.

The leader who constantly complains about their people clearly communicates their expectations. It’s amazing how the troublemaker, substandard performer, complainer, or proverbial busy body will meet those expectations when the leader believes that’s the best they can offer.

Goethe continued: “If I accept you as you are, I will make you worse; however, if I treat you as though you are what you are capable of becoming, I help you become that.” He also advised: “Treat a man the way he can be and ought to be, and he will become as he can be and should be.”

If you treat people as they are, they will continue as they are. But if you treat people as they can become, they will become what they can become. This is powerful stuff for a leader! Simply put, it communicates to people that I see you in the future and you look much better than you look right now.

One of the best ways to inspire people is to show them who they could be.

As Good as They Get

Jack Nicholson delivers a great line to Helen Hunt in the film “As Good as It Gets:”

“You make me want to be a better man.” That’s what great leaders do every day. . . make people want to be better by expecting more from them than they ever thought they could do or be.

You must expect it before you can get it!

Positive expectations communicate hope. Potential. Possibilities. Capabilities. Our degree of commitment and willingness to serve is visible in our expectations of people. See people as they can become then treat them consistent with your new, stretching expectations. You’ll be amazed at how people respond.

Peter F. Drucker said, “When you focus on strength, it puts a demand on performance.” With elevated self-expectation, there will come a new perspective on everything people do.

Questions to Ponder:

How would I describe my expectations of my team? How would my team describe my expectations?

Who is my most challenging person to work with? How might I adjust my perception/expectations of them?