In previous posts, I have been writing about the importance of managing expectations in both the personal and professional environment and about the difficulty to manage them as they are based on beliefs that a certain outcome or event will happen.
As a helping tool, I developed the ACE principle (Attitude, Attainability, Communication Conscientiousness, Engagement, and Effect) designed to improve proficiency in expectations management.
In this last series about expectations management, the 2 final headings making the ACE acronym will be further examined: Engagement and Effect or Influence.
Engagement: How is it Achieved?
To manage expectations in any given topic, it is important to recognize not only the level of engagement we bring to the organization but that of our colleagues and counterparts. Here are a few points relevant to the issue:
Engagement is closely linked to the individual level of personal commitment. It is an intrinsic attribute regulated by each person. Engaged employees tend to depict characteristics of emotionally intelligent individuals as they show empathy and are self-motivated.
Engagement is commonly perceived as a company strategy. As explained above, engagement traits are a personal internal attribute and can only be further stimulated and enhanced by company policies.
Engagement policies, have mainly succeeded in decreasing turnover and increasing performance, but have shown to have little impact on increasing commitment levels. Human beings will not always react to engagement policies (mainly fringe benefits) with rational behavior. The reason people don’t act in an engaging manner is that policies are perceived as a subtle way of control.
A company most certainly will benefit from a good balance between self-motivated individuals and the appropriate engagement policies. Both elements will have a positive impact on expectation management.
Effect / Influence: How can it be Exerted?
Influence has a close relation to expectation management, as it is a leadership skill required to fulfill objectives. It commands good communication skills and a focused intention, for an individual to exert influence across all levels of the organization.
Influence can only be achieved if the counterpart is willing to “accept” suggestions and guidance. Therefore, to exert an effect, it is of utmost importance to create an atmosphere of active listening while giving concise and specific directions.
This ends the Management Expectations series. I hope I could inspire you to use the ACE principle. I wish you all the best in the practice of managing expectations!
FURTHER REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED WITHOUT PERMISSION