Great Expectations: Breaking your Business One Expectation at a Time

Expectations are something that we deal with personally, professionally. It affects and impacts every aspect of our lives.

Expectations are Everywhere

In this discussion, Megan and Katherine explore how expectations shape our professional lives and the challenges that arise when they are unclear or uncommunicated. These expectations can lead to burnout, disengagement and even an erosion of trust. With nearly two decades of experience in leadership and human resources, Catherine shares her expertise on aligning people practices with business goals.

Tease Key Insights

• The Importance of Clear Communication: Expectations are everywhere in our organizations, from job descriptions to daily tasks. However, many of us operate under assumptions rather than clear agreements.

• Expectations exist in various forms within an organization, including job descriptions, employee handbooks, and standard operating procedures (SOPs). However, many organizations fail to recognize the extent of these expectations and how they impact performance.

• Leaders should engage in regular conversations with their teams to clarify expectations.

  
  

Why this Matters?

By prioritizing open communication, mutual responsibility, and adaptability, organizations can build trust, enhance engagement, and ultimately drive better performance. As leaders navigate the complexities of modern work environments, being intentional about setting and communicating expectations will be crucial for success.

Listen Now

In today’s fast-paced work environment, change is constant. Katherine emphasizes the importance of being transparent about these changes and their implications for your team. Instead of making promises that may not hold, leaders should communicate what can be expected during transitions. This builds a foundation of trust and allows teams to feel secure even amidst uncertainty.

I encourage you to listen to this episode and reflect on how you can implement these insights in your own organization.

Katherine Daniel

Expert Guide in Human Resources & People Operations

For Katherine Daniel, SHRM-SCP, Montani Consulting is the culmination of two decades of experience and success (and slight obsession, to be honest) across the fields of leadership development, employer branding, recruitment marketing, and human resources. In short, Katherine is deeply knowledgeable about all things people operations. Before launching Montani, she kick-started the joint HR and Marketing division of one of the nation’s fastest-growing media companies, spearheading people ops initiatives that led to top recognition for employee workplace satisfaction and company growth from Inc., Fortune, Entrepreneur, and many others.

While working full-time, Katherine managed to serve as a mentor, confidant, and trusted advisor for many HR pros and top executives. Then, in 2021, it became clear: Her next professional chapter would leverage her passion for helping other growth-minded business leaders build high-performing, highly loyal teams made up of people who are encouraged to bring their very best to work every day. She now lives out this passion through Montani Consulting, supporting dozens of businesses, from startups to well-established, all across the U.S. From non-profits and retail companies to those in healthcare, technology, real estate, and food production, Katherine (and team) meet the HR needs of clients wishing to reach their peak in business.

Katherine embodies the “work hard, play hard” mindset, always gearing up to catch the next live concert on her calendar or to host a get-together at her home in coastal Wilmington, NC. When the work day ends, it’s a safe bet Katherine will either have a new book in her hand or will be tuning in to Jeopardy. Either way, her rescue pup, Alice, is most definitely by her side.