This weekly feature is for those who don’t have time or don’t want to make time to read lengthy articles or even short paragraphs. We call it a Quick List. AKA – 10 by 10 on Tuesday. 10 ( ideas or tips or questions or steps or ways to Get 2 Goal or Be a Better Manager or Boost Morale and Productivity, etc) by 10 (AM – EST) on Tuesdays. Click here if you’d like to see all Quick Lists created to date.
This one is designed to help with the #1 killer of productivity – unclear expectations.
When giving assignments or requesting help, most of us just tell what we want done. That’s good – but usually much more is needed.
1. Tell the desired end result.
2. Show the desired end result by using a picture, model, mock up or demonstration.
3. Include the 5 W’s – who, what, where, when and why? See these stories for examples of the “what” and “why”: The Dean Dome and The Siena Hotel.
4. If the “how” matters to you, be sure to tell them how to do it, show them how to do it and why it is important to do it this way. Worksheets, forms, templates can be helpful tools for this.
5. For first time tasks, have them do it a few times while you watch and approve and/or correct.
6. Establish a time for check-in. Use this time to coach – review progress, ask/answer questions, critique, correct, re-direct and reinforce. Stick to this check-in time unless there is good reason (determine these in advance as well).
7. Make it easy for you and them to measure progress- so they and you know how they are doing.
8. Model the expectations.
9. Use visual reminders like posters, signs, checklists, daily reports, buttons, charts. Example from Performance Acura and The Eden Roc Hotel.
10. Reinforce with awards, recognition. Example – Chain Link Awards. Read more on this in Make Your Vision a Reality – Tips from Honda & UD.
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More resources to help you make expectations clear so that you get BETTER Results:
