How to improve collaborations with an expectation agreement

When you work with someone, the best investment is to clarify expectations – at the beginning of the cooperation, but also after some time of cooperation. Most interpersonal problems are based on differing expectations.

But how do set expectations? Create an expectation agreement:

• Keep it short: Have a maximum of 3 expectations in each direction
• Keep it simple: Use "I expect that you, X …" and "I expect that I, Martin…"
• Write it down, in full sentences - to avoid misinterpretations
• Agree on the expectation
• Have expectations accessible for both: Save in a place that you stumble upon regularly
• Review regularly: Ask "Are our expectations still valid, realistic and helpful?"
• Take a regular look to remind yourself of what you expect: Before interactions with your collaborator, such as a 1:1, have a quick look at the expectation
• Useful topics to consider for setting expectations:
  • Who is responsible for what?
  • What would make a collaboration beneficial and stress-free for both of us?