As we near the end of the year, many of us reflect on the last 12 months. We ask ourselves, “What did I do well?” “What do I need to change in the coming year?” “How can I grow?”

But do we ever stop and ask, “Am I meeting my people’s expectations?” Maybe it’s time we do.

In my experience, the following is a good list of expectations your people have for you, their leader:

  • To communicate openly, honestly, and frequently

  • To be predictable and consistent

  • To have a plan for their growth

  • To exhibit self-confidence balanced with humility

  • To encourage them

  • To challenge them

  • To let them know how they are doing

  • To always recognize their accomplishments

  • To be decisive and fair

  • To inform them in advance of changes that will affect them

As part of your personal reflection, it’s a good time for a self-assessment. Take each expectation and objectively rate yourself on a scale of 1–10 (10 being superior). Identify your strengths and weaknesses, and create a plan to address them. We expect our people to deliver on their expectations. Let’s make sure we’re meeting theirs.

And as you reflect, it’s worth remembering something we shared in last week’s newsletter: clarity from leadership can’t just live in strategy documents. Your One Page Business Plan helps define where you’re going. These expectations help define how you lead as you progress.

Both matter. Both create confidence. And both give your people what they need most: direction, trust, and a leader they can count on.