Keep Your Expectations Low, But Your Hopes High

I love HGTV and home renovation shows; they feed into my passion for decorating. Whether I'm fixing up our house or decorating an office, I like to know what the trends are, and I’d like to think that I have a good sense of style. These shows offer small snippets of relaxation when I need to rest my mind from the pressures of day-to-day life.?

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This past week, I was watching an episode of Celebrity IOU. Who doesn’t love Drew and Jonathan Scott, the Property Brothers—good Canadian boys? On this show, celebrities pay it forward to people in their lives. In this episode, Julianne and Derek Hough were giving back to their personal trainer, who was more than just a trainer but a dear friend. They talked about how his positivity radiated in all areas of life and how this individual was able to keep his chin up even when his gym closed during COVID. Not only that, but he also still helps others gain perspective on their own life challenges. When asked what his secret was, he said that he kept his expectations low but his hopes high.?

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Wow—keep your expectations low and your hopes high. Exactly!?

Most often, we feel upset or dejected when our expectations are high and someone or something does not deliver. That's when we get butterflies in our stomach, anxiety starts to develop, and overall, we become unhappy. Imagine you’re working on a project with a tight deadline and a team that has been inconsistent in the past. You might expect some challenges and setbacks, given the team's history and the project's complexity. This could mean preparing for potential delays, having contingency plans, and being ready for unexpected issues.?

At the same time, you can maintain high hopes for a successful outcome. This involves staying motivated, focusing on the positive aspects of the project, encouraging your team and believing that with effort and collaboration, you can achieve a great result.?

By managing your expectations and preparing for possible hurdles, you reduce the risk of disappointment. Yet, by nurturing your hopes and staying optimistic, you keep yourself and your team motivated to push through challenges and strive for success.?

Now, I know you're thinking, "Well, that’s easier said than done, Kam." I know—one of the biggest challenges many employers face is demotivated teams. When you are always pushing hard, it’s easy to sometimes fall into the gap. Honestly, it's a common issue that can arise in many companies over time. As leaders, it’s critical for us to foster a positive mindset while still pushing for growth. Here’s a structured approach to motivate your team effectively:?

Acknowledge Accomplishments:?

• During performance reviews, start by highlighting individual achievements and contributions.?

• Create a documented list of completed tasks and review it with the individual.?

• Celebrate their successes publicly; this promotes the right behaviors.?

Set Realistic Expectations:?

• Recognize that team members may have had higher expectations for their career progression.?

• Discuss the gap between their current status and their goals and create a plan for realistic expectations moving forward.?

• Ensure every team member has a career development plan that you revisit on a quarterly basis to track progress.?

• Provide context on industry standards and internal benchmarks for roles to help manage expectations.?

• Ensure your organization has a standardized competency framework for your standard roles, with clearly defined requirements to qualify.?

Encourage a Growth Mindset:?

• Focus on development and learning opportunities rather than just outcomes.?

• Offer additional training, mentorship or resources to support their career growth.?

• Set short-term, achievable goals to create a sense of accomplishment and progress.?

Foster Optimism:?

• Emphasize the potential and future opportunities within the organization, highlighting how their efforts contribute to broader goals.?

• Maintain a positive outlook and communicate the potential for growth and success despite current challenges.?

• Inspire passion by sharing the vision and impact of their work on the company’s success.?

Balance Expectations and Hopes:?

• Help team members adjust their expectations to be more in line with current realities while maintaining high hopes for future achievements. Being realistic is key. If you are a small organization and your marketing intern wants to be a Chief Marketing Officer in five years, that’s a conversation and expectation-setting that will need to happen.?

• Use positive reinforcement and encouragement to keep morale high, even when faced with setbacks.?

• Revisit quarterly to help drive accountability for individual goals and ensure alignment with organizational needs.?

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By applying these strategies, you can create an environment where team members remain motivated, feel valued and are driven to grow, even when facing challenges. It’s about setting the right expectations, which aligns with the practice of gratitude. You’re building a strong culture, and as a leader, you are helping to deliver a positive mindset for growth. Who knew you could learn so much from the Property Brothers? ???

Source: https://itbd.net/blog/candid-kam/keep-your-expectations-low-but-your-hopes-high/