Why Expectations Must Be Spoken and Relationships Must Be Built

In today’s fast-paced work environments, one of the most overlooked aspects of effective leadership is the power of clear, verbal communication—especially when it comes to expectations.

Too often, leaders assume their teams “just know” what’s expected. But here’s the truth: unspoken expectations are a silent killer of performance, trust, and morale. If you haven’t clearly articulated what success looks like, you can’t hold someone accountable for missing the mark. It’s not fair, and it’s not effective.

But clarity alone isn’t enough.

If you have communicated expectations and they’re still not being met, it’s time to lean in—not back. Have the conversation. Be specific. Address it in real time. Don’t let it fester. That’s just good leadership. Sometimes it’s a misunderstanding. Sometimes there’s a barrier that needs to be removed. Either way, silence doesn’t solve it—dialogue does.

And here’s the deeper truth: leadership is a relationship. Like any relationship, it doesn’t just happen—it has to be nurtured, developed, and maintained. That means showing up consistently, listening actively, and being willing to engage in the hard conversations.

When your best people leave, they’re not just walking away from a job.
They’re walking away from a story they no longer believe in.

Your job as a leader is to help them keep believing.

Let’s build workplaces where people feel heard, valued, and invested in—every day, not just on their way out.