Just as good parents expect the very best from their children, so does a good manager when it comes to his employees. My last post talked about using stories as a way to teach and inspire. I’d like to share with you (a short version of) a story from my own past.
Nick was a troubled young man I coached during a time when a judge had ordered him to work at an office where I was employed. He came from a troubled background that led him to problems with drugs. Those around him expected him to fail and he followed that path. He was lucky to stand in front of a judge who wanted to give him a chance to make different choices. Eventually an opportunity presented itself where he was introduced to people who not only expected different and better things from him, but actually believed that he was capable of succeeding. In an environment where his past was not seen as his destiny, Nick was treated as if he was no different than anyone else there. Conveying positive expectations and beliefs in both verbal and non-verbal ways produced tremendous results. In the end Nick found his way onto a different life path. His journey wasn’t easy and the work never-ending, but he continued to make better choices long after he left our office. I eventually lost track of him, but hope that he continued to do the right thing.
I chose to share this story because it illustrates what tremendous difference expectations can make – be it those of others or the self. The story underlines the importance of expectations in self-fulfilling prophecies, as well as self-efficacy and the need for positive things in life. It shows how others’ expectations seemed to have shaped this young man’s life – as if choosing a life’s path for him.
So where do expectations fit into your daily life at the office? Do you have a difficult employee who’s bound to be nothing but trouble? Or one who’s never going to be anything more than a slacker? Pay close attention to your approach. What message are you sending? Your messages go beyond what you say – your body language can negate all of your words. How are you contributing to their behavior? Do you expect this person to be anything more than what you’ve seen so far?
I won’t tell you that expectations alone will fix all problems, but they make a tremendous difference in getting what you need from others. Consider that the next time you’re assessing one of your employees.
