How do I communicate expectations clearly?
Clear expectations require more than saying what you want — they require the listener to understand what the issue is, why it matters, and what success actually looks like. The iSpeak SBIR Feedback model (Situation, Behavior, Impact, Response) makes expectations concrete and specific: describe the situation where the behavior occurred, what the behavior was, the impact it had, and then invite the employee's response. For broader expectations, the Simple Change Model helps you structure the message logically — what needs to change, why it matters, and how to get there.
Why it matters: When expectations are vague, people fill in the gaps themselves — usually incorrectly. The iSpeak Communication Complexity model shows how many filters a message passes through before it reaches understanding. The more ambiguous your expectation, the more those filters distort it.
Practical Tips:
- Use SBIR when setting behavioral expectations. Vague feedback like "be more proactive" lands differently than "In Tuesday's meeting [Situation], when you waited for others to speak first [Behavior], the team missed your perspective [Impact] — what would need to change next time? [Response]"
- Define what success looks like upfront. Don't assume people know what "good" means. Give them a clear benchmark or example so they have something concrete to aim for.
- Check for understanding, not just agreement. After communicating an expectation, ask "How do you see this working?" rather than "Does that make sense?" The first question reveals whether the message actually landed.
Practice Exercise:
Take one expectation you've communicated recently that didn't stick. Rewrite it using the SBIR format. Then use the iSpeak AI Coach to deliver it out loud — get feedback on whether your "impact" statement was specific enough to create a reason to change.
Related Resources:
Blog Post by Russ Peterson Jr., iSpeak Owner and Certified Master Instructor:
Communication Insight
Timeless advice to help you communicate with confidence and impact.
"Nothing improves until something changes."
Russ Peterson, Jr.
"Everyone communicates, few connect."
John Maxwell
"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough."
Albert Einstein
Ready to Practice With Our AI Coaches?
Reading about communication is helpful. Practicing it is transformational.
Practice real-world presentations, meetings, interviews, and difficult conversations with the iSpeak AI Coaches and receive personalized feedback immediately.
Free Monthly Communication Skills Webinar
Learn practical communication, presentation, and leadership skills from iSpeak experts.
Join our free monthly webinar series and discover techniques you can apply immediately to communicate with more confidence, clarity, and influence.