It is hard to overestimate the value of effective communication – either written or verbal – in every sphere of our lives, including the workplace. However, many conflicts may arise due to the lack of awareness about and training in how to interact with others in a manner that reduces misunderstanding. In this regard, I would like to discuss a very common workplace issue related to forming inadequate expectations or assumptions about other coworkers’ actions.
The problem related to false beliefs about other people’s behavior can exist at any level in the organization. Employers can have assumptions concerning workers’ performance, employees expect their managers to be helpful when necessary, and business partners may presuppose certain responsibilities towards each other. Probably one of the best examples concerning inadequate expectations is giving instructions. As such, it happens quite often when a manager asks his or her subordinates to complete a certain task but, after its realization, understands that the final result is far from what it should be. Consequently, such a mismatch between the assumptions and reality can negatively affect the relationships between people and, thus, interfere with the normal working process.
In my opinion, to avoid this problem, all of us must consider whether our request may be understood differently by others before asking someone for help or giving instructions. Then if the task is not quite straightforward, it is crucial to clearly indicate one’s expectations. On the other hand, those who receive instructions should also ask themselves whether the manager’s request is clear and, if not, ask additional questions.
Reference
Kolin, P. C. (2017). Successful writing at work (11th ed.). Cengage Learning.