Studies show that about 15 percent of employees in the United States are disengaged while at work. It’s hard for people to be encouraged and involved when there are no clear expectations.
Setting expectations is a lost art for many in business these days. However, learning to do this will take your company to the next level, while also making your employees feel more appreciated.
Keep reading so that you can start setting expectations early and often in your business.
Have a Mission Statement for Your Company
Your business plan is the foundation for your company for a reason. When in doubt, consult this plan and the executive summary you wrote when you first dreamed of opening a business.
This mission statement will outline the expectations of your business, which you can also make clear to everyone that works for you. Hang the mission statement in the workplace and come up with themes and sub-missions each year.
By keeping this information posted and on everyone’s minds, you can count on the fact that your workforce will be on the same page.
Create a Strong Company Culture
When you create a strong company culture, you empower people in your business to want to thrive and buy in. The people that work for you will take on the personality of the business owner, so make your presence felt and encourage others to adopt this culture.
The best company cultures should revolve around tenets like:
- Being service-oriented
- Taking action, rather than analysis paralysis
- Serving the community as a whole
- Prioritizing teamwork and collaboration
- Making communication a priority throughout the building
By taking the time to create this company culture upfront, expectations will be set early and you can pass this culture on every time you make a hire.
Set Goals That Trickle Down
It’s easier for your employees to understand expectations when your company is already setting larger goals. These goals will trickle down and everyone can play their part.
For instance, perhaps you have a sales goal that you’re trying to make for the quarter or the year. Maybe you have a hard deadline for a product that you’re trying to get to the consumer market.
Set the macro goal, and then encourage your employees to take ownership over their individual part in bringing the goal to fruition.
By constantly setting these goals, you will also be able to help your employees to meet the common goals people set while building their careers. For instance, if you know that an employee has leadership aspirations, put them in charge of a task force or committee relevant to the company’s objectives.
Understanding each employee’s motivations is a big part of how to be a good manager, so make sure that this is something that you always have your eye on.
Practice Giving Feedback
Setting expectations also requires you to give constructive feedback regularly. Too many managers and company owners browbeat employees or tell them when they’re coming up short.
Rather than creating a culture of fear, make sure that you’re giving quality feedback every step of the way. Let your employees know what they did well and what they can work on.
Most importantly, break your feedback down into measurable objectives that they can achieve so they know that they’re meeting expectations.
Use Tools That Track Progress
Put technology to use so that you can help your employees meet expectations. You can invest in a Software as a Service (SaaS) tool that tracks all types of employee performance.
Platforms like mesh.ai can help you track progress in an easy-to-digest, quantifiable manner.
These software packages are highly sophisticated and visual, so you will never have a problem understanding the data that you receive. This platform shows you where your employees are falling short, and what steps they can take to correct course.
Having access to these tools is so valuable since it takes the vagueness out of goal-setting. When you have this information in front of you, your workplace will become more productive and you can help your employees climb the ladder and take on more responsibility in your company little by little.
Add Motivation and Incentives to the Workplace
It’s always best to motivate people while setting expectations. Give your employees a reason to want to meet the expectations once they are set.
The best companies regularly hold incentives that include cash bonuses, gift cards, or other opportunities. This brings out the competitiveness in people and gives them something to shoot for.
It’s always best to motivate with incentives rather than rule through fear by threatening penalties.
Create Avenues for Advancement
Your employees will be attuned to expectations when they know there are future opportunities at stake. Make it a habit to promote from within, and to give new opportunities to your best and brightest employees.
Many people who would otherwise love their jobs end up leaving simply because there’s no room for advancement. Offering promotions, bonuses, and salary raises regularly will let your employees know that their hard work and efforts never go unnoticed.
Lead from the Front
Finally, make sure that you and your management team are always living up to and surpassing expectations. Leading from the front is the best way to get better performance out of your employees.
When you’re constantly the first one to show up and the last one to leave, this work ethic will trickle down and let your employees know that you’re just as bought in as they are.
Start Setting Expectations in Your Company
The points above will help you when you’re setting expectations throughout your business. You can use these points no matter what industry in. You’ll appreciate the way your company elevates, and your employees will begin to love where they work.
Start here and check out our other posts to help you get the most from your business and entrepreneurship.