No cool photos today or even anything terribly profound. But I have been thinking along with working this morning about our expectations and the expectations others may have for us.
A few years ago a colleague commented about a particular work relationship that was teetering into a negative and non-productive space that I - in her words - expected too much of people. At that time I recall I didn't respond well or take it as constructive feedback. Now as I reflect I realize that might really be my biggest weakness. I've had to rethink the oft-used phrase managing expectations.
I have taken that to mean an external management. Managing the expectations of others so that I don't make promises I can't keep and making sure not to overpromise. But what I need it to mean for now is what my colleague said in her wisdom. I need to learn to manage what I expect of others.
Not everyone can see things in my way or the way that I often do. That doesn't make them wrong. Just different.
But - and here's the real question. How can I work harder on not letting my expectations set me up for disappointment?
Right now I am managing the expectations that I have of a couple of friends and a couple of colleagues. My best advice to myself is to bookmark this blog and remind myself to do better at this particular management.
It has been a busy week and it shows every sign of being busier.
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