Speak your unspoken expectations.

Words left unsaid. Have you ever left words that needed to be spoken unsaid? Think back to high school, then think again. Ever leave something unspoken that needed saying? Ever watch someone bullied, picked on, and turn away? Remain silent in the face of social pressure? Sure, we all have.

Unspoken expectations. Do you live in a world of unspoken expectations? Do you have them in your family? If you desire your kids to excel in academics, but punish them verbally no matter the grade with "Well, you could still do better." You have unspoken expectations. If you desperately want your employees to "Do a good job.", but provide no written guidance, no training- You have unspoken expectations.

"If you move the target, I'll just give up." Unspoken expectations are like a moving target in a shooting gallery. Kids, employees, friends, your spouse, will go ahead and keep shooting and gauging your reactions for a while trying to find the target. Sometimes they will voice their desire for feedback, but often it is just a silent voice in their mind  asking, "Is this what you want? Is this good enough? Does this make you happy? Am I safe now?"

Inevitably, we, as driven people, purposely move the target the minute they hit it. Our rationale is "If they could do that well, then they can do better." Sounds like progress right? Sounds like we're "taking it to the next level" or "Raising the bar". Something we're even told to do; trained to do. Clarifying our expectations can feel like we'd be setting a level for them that they would never have to exceed, as if we'd be purposely thwarting our continual improvement.

The trouble is that most people will not play the "moving target" game very long. In the movie "Despicable Me", a carnival game plays the moving target game for the kids. Once it is clearly not fair, "Gru", the anti-hero of the film, pulls a blaster gun and incinerates the entire booth. People will not play the moving target game for long. They will burn out or flare up.

Evaluate your expectations. Are they realistic? Are they achievable? Do they account for imperfection in the world? In other people? In the marketplace? Are they clear?

"Do a good job" is unclear. "Keep this area clear of trash" is clear.
"Give good customer service" is unclear. "Greet each guest with a smile" is clear.

"Keep track of guests in the corn maze" is unclear. "Greet each guest and ask how they are doing each time you meet" is clear.
"Give me respect" is unclear. "We do not criticize each other in front of guests" is clear.

Rise up and voice your unspoken expectations. The best news is ITS YOUR BUSINESS! You get to set the expectations! It can be just like you want! You set the systems and clear expectations exactly how you want them followed. Provide your people examples, scripts, stories of successful implementation, training, checklists and feedback.

Cut the waste. Once you clearly articulate your expectations, you never have to fire someone again. What?! That's right. Once you clearly articulate your expectations and develop the system by which your people can implement them, employees choose to fire themselves.

Never again battle with "I did a good job!", "Oh, no you didn't!", "Yes I did!" - check the system, the checklists, the clear expectations. If they do not meet your written expectations, they chose to fire themselves - so cut the waste. Get rid of anyone who does not get with the system.

Muster your courage. It takes courage to quit the "moving target" game and speak your unspoken expectations; to write down the systems you need to run your business. If you have the courage and take the time, you will find yourself in a whole new world of interaction with your staff, your family, and your guests.

Have a great week.
-Hugh

 

Find Hugh at:

www.cornmaze.com

www.mazecatalog.com

www.mazefunpark.com

Twitter: @themazemaster