Managing to the Invisible Standard

Have you ever been disappointed with a team member’s performance, only to later realise you never actually communicated your expectations clearly?

You’re not alone. Unclear expectations are one of the biggest performance killers, and as leaders, we’re often guilty of setting an invisible standard without articulating it.

In this episode of The Leaders Kit Bag, I share three simple but powerful tips to ensure your team understands exactly what is expected of them:

Make the Invisible Visible – Clearly articulate expectations, focusing on outcomes rather than micromanaging the process. Give your team autonomy while setting clear deliverables.

The Commitment Clarification Exercise – When assigning tasks, ask team members to repeat back the expectations in their own words. This prevents misunderstandings and ensures alignment.

Be Clear, Not Cryptic – If you need to course-correct, be empathetic but direct. Avoid “ruinous empathy,” where leaders soften feedback so much that it becomes vague and unhelpful. Instead, provide laser-focused guidance that allows people to improve.

By implementing these three strategies, you’ll remove ambiguity, empower your team, and create an environment where people can truly excel.

Tune in now to ensure you’re not unconsciously setting your team up to fail.

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