Expectations are planned resentments
Guest post by Craig Freshley. We have been big fans of Craig’s wisdom for years and are honored to share this guest post with our readers. Visit Craig’s website for more superb tips on meetings and leadership.
In principle, when we have expectations of others that don’t pan out it often leads to resentment which often brews discontent which often causes conflict. I have heard someone say that expectations are planned resentments.
The surest way to avoid resentment is to not have expectations. When I fall into a victim role it’s helpful to remember that I am rarely a victim of others and often I am a victim of my own expectations.
Practical Tip: As a participant in group decisions, I try hard not to develop false expectations. I expect from people only what they have specifically agreed to, and even then I keep in mind that most people are not capable of doing all that they agree to.
I focus on the good things that my group and the people in it have done, and what they could do, rather than what they should do according to my expectations.
