Have you ever asked someone to do something, walked away, and then returned to find the result wasn’t at all what you had in mind? Or maybe you’ve been on the receiving end – working hard on a project only to discover your boss or client had a completely different vision of the finished product?
We’ve all been there, and there’s a simple principle that can save us from this frustration: “Inspect what you expect.”
At its heart, this phrase is about good old-fashioned follow-through. It’s the idea that if something matters enough for you to set an expectation, it deserves your attention to ensure it’s meeting that expectation.
Think of it like planting a garden. You wouldn’t just scatter seeds and walk away for months, hoping everything grows perfectly. You’d check on your plants, water them, pull weeds, and make adjustments as needed. The same principle applies to our work, Relationships, and personal goals.
Let’s be honest – most of us are guilty of setting expectations and then failing to follow up properly. Why does this happen?
We’re too busy: In our fast-paced world, we’re juggling multiple responsibilities and can barely keep up. Following up feels like just another task on an overwhelming to-do list.
We assume the best: Optimism is generally good, but blind optimism can lead to problems. We often assume things are progressing fine without verification.
We’re uncomfortable with accountability: Having potentially difficult conversations about unmet expectations isn’t fun for anyone.
We didn’t clarify our expectations: Sometimes we think we’ve been clear about what we want, but we haven’t actually painted a complete picture for others (or even ourselves).
When we fail to inspect what we expect, the consequences can be significant:
Think about a home renovation project where you don’t check in until the very end – only to find the contractor misunderstood key aspects of your vision. Now you’re faced with either living with something you don’t like or paying for costly changes. A few brief inspections along the way could have prevented this outcome.
I once began a remodelling project on my master bed/bath area. The contratcor suggested we pack up and vacate for 2 months. He promised he’d have it done “just right.” There was NO way I would ever agree to do that. In this case, the contratcor needed daily monitoring to avoid misplacment and poor choices for location of amenities, use of materials, and general design of the space. I was glad i inspected daily (He needed it). And I promisie i wasn’t being picky, just practical.
This principle sounds straightforward, but putting it into practice requires some thought. Here’s how to make it work:
Before you can inspect anything, you need to know exactly what you’re looking for. Vague expectations lead to vague results.
Instead of telling a team member, “Make this presentation better,” try “Please add three customer stories and limit each slide to five bullet points.” The more specific you are, the easier it will be to inspect the results.
Think of it like baking. A recipe that says “add some flour and bake until done” will produce wildly different results than one that specifies “1½ cups of flour” and “bake at 350°F for 22-25 minutes.”
Nobody likes to feel micromanaged. When you’re inspecting work, frame it as a collaborative checkpoint rather than a suspicious checkup.
A simple shift in language helps: “I’d Love to see where we are with the project so I can provide any support needed” feels very different from “I need to check if you’ve done what I asked.”
When inspections reveal gaps between expectations and reality, view this as a golden opportunity to teach and learn – not a failure.
The best coaches don’t just tell players what they did wrong; they show them how to improve. Similarly, effective leaders use inspection moments to mentor others and help them develop new skills.
Sometimes our inspections reveal that our original expectations were unrealistic or need refinement. Be flexible enough to adapt based on what you learn.
My friend who runs a small business learned this lesson when launching a new service. Her initial sales expectations were based on best-case scenarios. After inspecting early results, she adjusted her targets to be more realistic, which actually improved team morale and performance.
This principle isn’t just for managing others – it’s incredibly powerful for Personal Development too.
If you expect yourself to Exercise three times a week, set up a system to inspect whether you’re meeting that expectation. This might be as simple as a weekly review of your fitness goals.
As the saying goes, “What gets measured gets managed.” Self-inspection helps us stay honest with ourselves and make adjustments before we veer too far off course.
Parenting: Parents who check homework regularly, not just before report cards, help their children develop consistent study habits.
Health goals: The most successful weight loss stories usually involve regular weigh-ins and food tracking – inspecting progress toward the expected outcome.
Saving Money: People who regularly review their spending against their budget tend to be more successful at saving than those who set financial goals but never check their progress.
Learning new skills: Whether it’s playing piano or coding, the fastest improvers are those who consistently inspect their work against clear standards.
There’s certainly a balance to strike here. Too much inspection can lead to micromanagement and stifled creativity. Too little can result in missed expectations and wasted resources.
The right frequency of inspection depends on several factors:
Think of inspection like salt in a recipe – you need enough to bring out the flavors, but too much ruins the dish.
Like any principle, “inspect what you expect” only works if you actually use it consistently. Here are some ways to make it part of your routine:
At its core, “inspect what you expect” isn’t really about control – it’s about care. When something matters to us, we pay attention to it. We nurture it. We help it grow in the right direction.
People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. ~Brian Tracy
By embracing this simple principle, we demonstrate what we truly value, build stronger relationships based on clear communication, and dramatically improve our results in all areas of life.
The next time you set an expectation – whether for yourself or someone else – remember to circle back and inspect. Your future self will thank you.
Question: How are you doing with inspecting what you expect? Leave a comment.
If you want a better tool for managing epxectations, check out Big5 Performance. This is a cloud based app that helps managers and teams set priorities and map progress.
The post Inspect What You Expect: The Common-Sense Path to Better Results appeared first on Business Advisor and Executive Coach | Doug Thorpe.
