Summary
Setting clear role expectations is vital for both employee performance and organizational success. When employees understand their responsibilities, goals, and how their work aligns with the broader objectives of the organization, they are more likely to feel engaged and motivated. Research shows that organizations with well-defined role expectations experience a 25% increase in employee productivity and satisfaction.
Clear expectations help reduce ambiguity, allowing employees to focus on their tasks without the stress of uncertainty. This clarity also fosters accountability, as team members know what is expected of them and can measure their performance against those standards. Moreover, when managers communicate these expectations effectively, it opens the door for constructive feedback and ongoing dialogue, further enhancing team dynamics.
By investing time in defining and communicating role expectations, organizations can create a more cohesive and high-performing workforce, ultimately driving better results and fostering a positive workplace culture.
Use the brief template below to quickly and easily share incredibly clear expectations with your team.
Template
We agree that you will accomplish _____ result (what, metric/milestone) with ________ people (who, if applicable) by displaying ____ skills/behaviors (how) by ____ time (when) with check-ins on ______ dates (when) because ______ (why, motivation/context).
Plan Breakdown
- What, metric/milestone – This is the one we usually all get 🙂 but it is incredibly important to think through how specific you can get there.
- Who – Who needs to accomplish this? Is it an individual or group project? Are there stakeholders to include?
- How – Are there specific behaviors to display while performing this expectation?
- When – Exactly when (date and time) is this expectation due?
- When – When will you check in with them? If this is not defined, check ins could start feeling like micro management.
- Why – Give people motivation and context. This could be motivation towards a promotion or could be context as to why the work is important to the company.
