Rule #6 – Set Clear Expectations and Establish SMART Goals

Your team already knows you're the boss — but leadership isn’t about titles. It’s about clarity, direction, and consistency. One of the most powerful ways to lead with impact is by setting clear expectations.

Why Expectations Matter

Expectations are not about micromanagement — they’re about eliminating confusion. Some leaders mistakenly assume their team can “just figure it out.” They believe that being too specific might come off as bossy or overbearing. But here's the truth: your team isn’t made up of mind readers.

If you don’t define what success looks like, how can anyone achieve it?

Clear expectations provide structure. They set the foundation for accountability, ownership, and performance. When your team knows what’s expected of them — and why — they’re more likely to show up with purpose, motivation, and confidence.

And let’s be real: most team members want to do good work. They want to meet and exceed expectations. But they need to understand where the goalposts are. That’s your job as a leader — to set them up to win.

Dealing with someone who consistently pushes back or underperforms? Don’t worry — Rule #7 will cover how to address those “problem children.”

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The Power of SMART Goals

Once expectations are in place, the next step is turning them into concrete outcomes using the SMART framework. SMART goals help your team focus, prioritize, and stay aligned.

What Does SMART Mean?

• Specific – What exactly needs to be done?

• Measurable – How will success be measured?

• Attainable – Is it realistic based on resources and time?

• Relevant – Does it align with broader business goals?

• Time-constrained – What’s the deadline?

SMART Goal Examples

• “I will make contact with at least 5 new qualified prospects each week for the entirety of 2025.”

• “I will review and reflect on my leadership development plan every weekday morning throughout 2025.”

• “We will achieve a controllable profit of $1.2M for 2025, reflecting a 10% improvement over 2024. This will be tracked through the monthly Key Operating Report generated on the third business day of each month.”

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Action Item 6: Set the Tone

This week, draft your own SMART goals for 2025 and share them with your team. Let them see your thought process. Be transparent. Then challenge each team member to create and share their own SMART goals by the end of next week.

When everyone knows the destination — and the route — progress becomes inevitable.