How to Know Your Team Knows What’s Expected of Them

It’s a refrain we here often: “I’m not sure I know exactly what’s expected of me.”

It seems as simple as asking, but there are a myriad of reasons people don’t seek clarification:

• They don’t want to look dumb.
• Too much time has passed – they should have asked for clarification months ago.
• Apathy… and they want to fly under the radar.
• They don’t know what they don’t know.
• They feel their boss is unapproachable – or the boss is actually unapproachable.

The most powerful tool in a leader’s arsenal is the “art of the question.” Even if you think your team knows exactly what’s expected of them, trying asking these seven questions to validate your intent and the team’s focus:

1. Where are we with regard to our goals?
2. What’s the hardest part of your job?
3. Is there a simpler way?
4. What does reciprocity have to do with this team on this project?
5. What do you think of you as a team player?
6. How are you evaluating your own performance?
7. What does exceeding expectations look like to you?

When you truly care about the people upon whom you depend, you’ll invest the time to ask questions and really listen. When you do, you’ll…

• Lead more and manage less, because people support what they help create.
• Help others embrace adversity as a crucible to learn and strengthen their resilience and improve the organization’s resourcefulness.
• Leverage the power of mentoring as a leader/teacher/pupil to enhance collaboration across the organization.

Slow down to hear the unheard for clarity of purpose to know thyself – and your team – and you will sharpen the focus and exceed expectations.