Boss to Coach Conversation 1 of 5 Setting Expectations
Week 1 – Defining Expectations

Introduction to Setting Expectations

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Conversation 1 Setting Expectations
The relationship between a manager and an employee is crucial for business success. Your job satisfaction is closely connected to your boss's competence, and happy employees directly impact customer satisfaction. The challenge lies in not being equipped with the skills to manage effectively.  One of the key strategies is to adopt a coaching approach.

To support this transition, there are three enablers as outlined on Page 4 of your Blue Workbook:

  1. THE WHY A Regular Team Health Check An ongoing measure of what matters most, so that your team care about their work

  2. THE HOW Leverage Strengths Discover and leverage your unique talents and those of each team member

  3. THE WHAT Move from Boss to Coach Switch from performance management to development with the 5 coaching conversations that drive increased levels of performance and results

This learning module talks to third strategy of performance development and specifically the setting expectations conversation. 

Setting expectations helps the team leader and employee understand each other better. It's about making things clear, like what's expected and knowing each person's strengths and needs.

This is one of five modules for each of the Boss to Coach conversations; Setting Expectations, Everyday Feedback, Check In, Development Plan, Progress Review.  See more about Boss to Coach.

These conversations are supported with the CliftonStrengths tool.  This helps to describe the talents, skills and knowledge that are unique to you - the things you do best.  If you can identify and then use your strengths in your job and your life, things are easier, more enjoyable, and effective. Find out more about CliftonStrengths and how they can be used

Course Objectives

What are you going to learn?
Recognize why expectations matter. Clearly know and talk about what we expect from ourselves and others. Understand others' expectations too. This helps improve the three key relationships we all have with ourselves, others, and the community/organisation we're part of. See the diagram on Page 3 in your Blue Workbook.

There are three steps we will cover

  • Part 1 Defining Expectations What are they and why have them

  • Part 2 WHAT Expectations The priorities of the work

  • Part 3 HOW Expectations Gain awareness and appreciation of how your strengths influence the behaviours that help to deliver the WHAT’s

This is important because…
Having clear expectations at work keeps everyone on the same page, reduces stress, and helps teams work better together. It also makes feedback and personal growth easier, creating a positive environment for the team.

How to use this course

The structure is as follows

  • To have the option to either read the content or Listen to an audio file or both

  • There are videos to Watch to explain concepts

  • There are articles to Read for in-depth explanation of concepts

  • An Activity to apply the learning, completed in your Blue Workbook

There are Optional resources for Activity, Read, Watch.  These are not required for each lesson but can be helpful to deepen your understanding.

To support, use the Workbooks

Each lesson includes insights and actions.  The workbooks will support this.  There are two workbooks that you will need to have open, either electronically or printed

  1. The Blue Workbook.  The name is based on the colour of its cover

    a) This is where you will capture all your learnings and is designed to become your manager’s “playbook.”  The online course is designed as the supporting tool to explain the content further

    b) In the footer on each page, there is a reference to the module so you can find the specific lesson and content this relates to.

  2. The White Workbook.  The name is based on the colour of its cover

    This contains insights for your CliftonStrengths Top 5 profile including contributions, motivations, what your strengths love, hate, need

    We will use these insights to populate the activities in your black workbook

Make the time

This course works best when you have undistracted time and are in front of your computer.  You will need one hour a week for the next 4 weeks.  This looks like…

  1. A 45-minute bite sized online learning chunks.  You will also have full access to the course so you can complete in larger blocks and at your own pace  

  2. A 15-minute debrief with your manager/sponsor to share one discovery.  This could be incorporated into your regular 1-1

  3. PLUS A once monthly 1-hour group coaching call with Jason Biggs

  4. Applying your learnings in everyday conversations with team 

COMING SOON You'll receive weekly reminders to track your course progress.  Your team leader will also receive these emails to support debrief discussions with them.

Boss to Coach Learning Cycle

Before We Start, Do These Following Actions

  • You’ll need to know your Top 5 CliftonStrengths. If you don’t have a profile yet, e-mail hello@jasonbiggs.nz

  • Each module has its own Blue Workbook. Make sure you’re using the correct version for this module – it’s designed to capture your insights and become your “playbook.” Download a copy of your Blue Workbook here

  • You should have received it by e-mail. If not, e-mail hello@jasonbiggs.nz

    1. Set aside 45–60 minutes each week to complete the course (or work through it in larger blocks)

    2. Book a 15-minute connect with your team leader each week

    3. Or add a standing agenda item to your 1–1 to share what you’re learning

  • You’ll receive a weekly reminder e-mail introducing your next lesson. At the same time, your manager or learning buddy will get their own reminder e-mail with tips that match what you’re learning. It’s designed so you’re both on the same page and can have more useful conversations along the way.

    If your manager or buddy changes during the course, e-mail us at hello@jasonbiggs.nz so we can update their details.

  • Group coaching calls are held monthly via Zoom and are open to all participants – no matter where you’re up to in the course. They usually run on a Wednesday in the second week of the month, but times may vary. You’ll need to register each month to join.

  • On Page 2 of your Blue Workbook write

    1. Your name

    2. Your Top 5 CliftonStrengths Themes

    3. An objective you would like to get from this The Introduction to Strengths course

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