People do not like to be surprised; that is why it is essential to layout and agree on a set of expectations, so everyone is on the same page from day one. If you do not, everyone in the organization will be frustrated, because rules and expectations will change all of the time. This makes it hard for employees to be effective in their roles, and as a result, the organization will not operate in an optimal manner.

When you set the standard, something amazing happens

As an education leader, you can change this by setting the standard. Once this is done, educators will know what is expected of them, and as a result, they will work hard to reach the bar that has been set. To make sure expectations are clear, begin by providing a work environment and structure that is conducive to success. Next, set short term and long term goals. Then add benchmarks that will define success or failure. During the process of attaining these goals, continuously give and ask for feedback.

If you feel as though you have done a poor job of setting the standard in your organization, all is not lost. You can begin the process right now, and all it takes is a little work. Over the next 3 months, work on setting the standard for your organization. The first step is to acknowledge that you have done a poor job of conveying your expectations to your teachers and staff.

Then get started on creating and disseminating your expectations, setting goals and benchmarks, etc. What do you notice after 3 months? You should notice that with your expectations at goals defined, everyone knows what is required of them. This should take your staff’s productivity and efficiency to new heights.