The Kellan Group

Project Management Consulting | Keynote Speaker | Training

  • Home
  • About
    • The Kellan Group
    • Meet Sandra Hoskins
  • Working With Kellan
    • Keynote
    • Training & Workshops
    • Project Management Consulting
  • Sandra’s Blog
  • Resources
  • Contact

Expectation Management: Reading is optional

04.16.2010 by Sandra Hoskins //

Today has been one of those days when my sense of humour has taken several hits.  It can be very entertaining most days but Murphy has taken possession of our phone system (the voice mail is possessed and works sporadically), there is no way to run cable for an alarm extension without taking the ceiling out on the second floor, and several colleagues need the care and feeding of a 5-year-old.  In fact, my four-year old granddaughter has more finesse than these two adults.

My first quarter has been challenging.  Three funerals, sick spouse, sick grandson, vendors who make me wait forever for payment, packed and moved an office twice, and, of course, I got walking pneumonia from my spouse.  When I review my journal, I am surprised considering my current physical state that I accomplished anything at all.  Oh! and I wrote 4 courses (PM topics) for delivery in the next 5 weeks.

In today’s world, if you don’t respond to colleagues in under 10 seconds, you are avoiding someone.  Despite the fact, that they haven’t returned emails sent in January, February, March and early April.  I only asked for some time to get my pins under me again. 

What caused this core dump is an email that I received accusing me of ignoring someone.  To my credit, I did send an email saying that I was out of commission and would contact them when I had the time and energy.  Both of which are in short supply today. 

In a project environment, team members, who react to situations without reviewing all the facts, can cause the rest of us to tune you out.  Whining will only make us less likely to listen to you or read your correspondence.  In fact, you could get filtered to the ‘maybe I’ll get to it folder’. 

The gold nugget is “never assume that anyone will adjust their expectations or behaviour based on email correspondence.  Your urgency might not be mine and there are certainly elements of my life that you don’t know and aren’t entitled to know. ”  In fact, if they are tactile learners, they might not even have read it.  The subject line might have been enough to set them off.   If I wasn’t coughing up a lung, I would make a phone call but talking is a challenge when you cough every six to eight words.  So to my colleagues, trust me.  I will get in touch with you as soon as I can hold an intelligent conversation without spewing germs all over the handset.

Share this:

  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)

Related

Categories // Sandra's Blog Tags // expectation management, Golden Nuggets, manners, patience, project, project management

More posts from Sandra's Blog

  • Another Left Too Soon .. Why We Must Remember

    November 11, 2022
  • Channeling Top Gear: A Review of The Mitsubishi RVR – AWD

    May 2, 2022
  • The Warrior’s Battle Cry – Ground Rule 8: Know Your World

    March 25, 2022
  • The Warrior’s Battle Cry – Ground Rule 14 Listen, Learn, Speak Out, Be Accountable, and Show Up

    March 25, 2022
  • The Warrior’s Battle Cry – Ground Rule 13:  Savour Your Victories / Live Like There Is No Tomorrow

    March 25, 2022
  • The Warrior’s Battle Cry – Ground Rule 12: Get Back Up / Find Your Spine / Screw It Just Do It

    March 25, 2022
  • The Warrior’s Battle Cry – Ground Rule 11: Use Your Energy Wisely / Pick Your Battles / Own Your Life

    March 25, 2022
  • The Warrior’s Battle Cry – Ground Rule 10: Follow Through / Follow Up / Just Get It Done

    March 25, 2022
  • The Warrior’s Battle Cry – Ground Rule 9: Strengthen Your Shield

    March 25, 2022
  • The Warrior’s Battle Cry – Ground Rule 7: Sharpen Your Sword

    March 25, 2022

Project Management Institute, Inc. ®

As a Charter Registered Education Provider (R.E.P. ®), The Kellan Group Inc. continues to maintain compliance with PMI®-established quality assurance criteria. PMP®, PMBOK® Guide, CAPM®, PgMP®, PMI®, PMI-SP®, PMI-RMP®, PMI-PBA®, PMI-ACP®, and REP® are registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.

The Kellan Group

We make a difference in the lives of others by empowering them to create a thriving environment so that they can change the world, one person at a time.

Contact and Connect

The Kellan Group
Box 2789, Stn. Main
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 4B4

Phone: 204-253-1896
Email: mentors@thekellangroup.com

Read More
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2023 · The Kellan Group · Winnipeg Website Development by A Crazy Chameleon
Privacy Policy · Terms & Conditions

Copyright © 2023 · The Kellan Group on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

MENU
  • Home
  • About
  • Working With Kellan
    • Project Management Consulting
    • Keynote
  • Sandra’s Blog
  • Resources
  • Contact