Here Is Why Clear Expectations Win Every Time
I just started teaching Public Speaking again this semester at Georgia Southern University. Every term, the same questions come up, so I try to get ahead of them with a thorough syllabus. Seven pages’ worth. (Yes, there were looks.)
“Do we really need to buy a textbook?” “Yes—it’s right there on page one. I led with it.”
“What happens if I miss a deadline?” “Check out the only highlighted line in the entire syllabus on page four: I do not accept late work. I didn’t highlight it for decoration.”
“What does an ‘A’ speech actually look like?” “Great question. The criteria used for evaluating speeches is on page five.”
I don’t answer these questions with irritation. I answer them with clarity, so expectations for the semester are unmistakable. And that’s the point.
Most frustration—at work, at home, on teams—comes from unspoken assumptions. We assume people know what “good work” looks like. We assume they understand the deadline flexibility (or lack thereof). We assume they heard what we meant, not just what we said.
Clear expectations reduce rework and the quiet tension that builds when people feel set up to fail.
Whether you’re leading a team, managing a project, or teaching a class, clarity does the heavy lifting.
Here are three ways to communicate expectations more clearly—without micromanaging:
Define outcomes. Focus on results rather than methods so people understand what success looks like.
Name constraints. Share deadlines, resources, and non-negotiables to eliminate guesswork.
Confirm understanding. Ask people to reflect back what they heard to ensure alignment. Try the simple phrase, “What did you hear me say?” It saves time, emails, and unnecessary follow-up meetings.
Clarity now prevents conflict later.