Vague expectations cause stress. Specific ones let people succeed. Here are examples and scripts.
Direct answer
Clear expectations are specific and checkable: they say what, by when and to what standard. "Be proactive" is vague; "flag any delay as soon as you see it" is clear. Use short scripts, write expectations down and agree when you'll review them.
Vague vs clear
| Vague | Clear |
|---|---|
| Be a team player | Share your progress in the daily stand-up and help colleagues who ask |
| Communicate better | Reply to customer emails within one working day |
| Do quality work | Check every report against the checklist before sending |
| Be on time | Be at your desk, ready, by 9:00 for team meetings |
| Take initiative | Suggest one improvement a month |
Scripts
For a new employee
In your first month, I'd like you to learn our three main systems and shadow five customer calls. By day 60 I'd like you to handle calls with a buddy listening. How does that sound?
For deadlines
I need the draft by Wednesday noon, so I can review before the Thursday meeting. If it will be late, tell me by Tuesday.
For quality
Good means figures checked, no spelling errors and a one-line summary at the top.
For a difficult employee
Over the past month three reports were late and had errors. I need reports on time and checked. Let's agree a checklist and review progress each Friday for four weeks.
For a missed expectation
I expected the report on Friday and it arrived Monday. Can you tell me what happened? What do you need to make Friday work?
Tips
- Use numbers and dates.
- Explain why it matters.
- Ask them to repeat it back.
- Write it down.
See how to set clear expectations at work for the full method.
Where Teyro fits
Teyro's How to Set Clear Expectations course teaches setting expectations people can actually meet and handling the conversations when they aren't. It's free to start.
The bottom line
Specific, written and checked.
