The Manager's Pocket Guide to Motivating Employees

Setting Expectations

The positive or negative influence one employee can have on the entire team is greater than most managers realize. The manager must decide which employees will stay and which ones will go. Once the team is assembled of the remaining employees, it is time to set or reset expectations. The manager should have a meeting with the team and talk about the expectations for the “new” team from that day forward. It is essential that the expectations be clear and specific. It is also important to eliminate any ambiguity. For example, a manager could say, “I expect everyone to have a good attitude.” This is a poorly articulated expectation because everyone’s idea of a good attitude is different. The expectation should be put into