Monday Morning Musings
Volume XXIV, Number 44 (Issue 1204) October 26, 2026
What Is Expected of Me? – Part I
Tell me your expectations and provided they are within my power and means and as long as those expectations do not conflict with my own values and major goals, then I will do what I can to make it so.
It helps knowing what others expect of us. Specifically, things like how should I act? What should I say/not say? What should I do and when? Is there a hard deadline? How should I dress for the occasion? Do you want my personal opinion, or do you prefer a recital of the facts as I know them/believe them to be? Et cetera. These are but a few of the questions I (and am guessing you) would like to have answered when it comes to what is expected. Absent such knowledge, it is far too easy to fall short of another’s expectations. Whether missing the mark is a function of another’s exacting standards, one’s inexperience, a miscommunication, incompatibility, or simply a lack of trying is anyone’s guess. But the one thing we can say with some certainty is expectations that are not shared tend to be expectations unmet. Furthermore, expectations unmet give rise to disappointment, resentment, and in some cases, conflict.
Thus, it seemed completely reasonable when, in a meeting with a client’s Board of Directors, a newcomer to the board (six months into the role) turned to the CEO and stated, “I would like to know what is expected of me.” I found that request to be both perfectly normal and disappointing at the same time. Normal because we all want to know what others expect of us. Disappointing because it indicated to me this new director had not been provided with that information prior to now. When I say prior to now, I mean seven or more months ago so that this new director understood the duties and expectations before ever saying, “yes” to the invitation to join the board.
It has been my experience that a sharing of expectations is a good practice in any relationship if for no other reason than it gives both parties insight into the other party’s aims for both behaviors and outcomes. For example, if I am invited to join a board of directors, I want to know what I am getting myself into. If the organization is publicly traded, then there is a well-defined set of rules the SEC and possibly one or more other regulatory bodies (depending upon the industry and business model) have established as to the duties and responsibilities of board members. I definitely need to know what those are before I say, “yes.” But perhaps the board I am considering joining has established some additional standards they expect all board members to abide by. I really need to know what those are too before I accept the invitation. Otherwise, I could be laying the groundwork for future conflict without knowing it.
To be continued…
Soli Deo Gloria
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8
J. Keith Hughey
Mobile: (210) 260-0955
E-mail: keith@jkeithhughey.com
Website: www.jkeithhughey.com
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