Unarticulated expectations lead to premeditated resentments

A gentleman named Peter Last said that to me in the lobby of the Brookstreet Hotel, circa 2004. At the time, it seemed like a complex and odd phrase. But I have thought about it a lot since then. I’d say 90% of the time I work with a leader to improve or enhance performance - individual or team, it comes back to me. It is not sufficient to set clear objectives at the beginning of a project or performance cycle and leave it at that. The dynamic nature of work necessitates constant 2-way feedback (with all key stakeholders), revisiting and adjusting goals to deliver what is required. And no performance management process, no matter how comprehensive, can replace a commitment to authentic dialogue - from project concept on through to delivery.