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233. Don’t Hold Secret Expectations: Why Clarity Builds High-Performing Teams
Episode 2338th July 2025 • World's Greatest Boss • Jackie Koch
00:00:00 00:16:43

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If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “They should know better” about someone on your team, this episode is for you.

In today’s episode I break down a trap that many founders and managers fall into: holding secret expectations—unspoken rules that frustrate you when broken but were never actually communicated in the first place.

Whether it’s scheduling mid-day appointments, not replying fast enough, or showing up unprepared to meetings, these invisible standards hurt performance, erode trust, and create unnecessary team drama.

I share real-world examples from my HR consulting work, explain why this dynamic happens (even to the best leaders), and give you a step-by-step guide to setting clear, kind, and actionable team operating procedures that support accountability without micromanaging.

What You’ll Learn:

  • What “secret expectations” are and how they quietly show up in teams
  • The real reason you get frustrated with employees who should know better
  • How to turn unspoken assumptions into documented team norms
  • Why clear operating procedures are essential for scaling effectively
  • A framework to reset expectations without eroding trust
  • How to reflect on your own leadership habits and start fresh

Stay Connected:

  • Connect with me on Linkedin
  • Need some HR consulting in your business? Check out our services

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