committing to clear expectations

7 c’s and the alignment cyclea process for all relationships

Created 2012

by Tom Curtis

Blog: www.onimproving.blogspot.com

Presentations: www.slideshare.net/onimproving 

Email: ideamerchants@gmail.com

Twitter: @onimproving

expectations in relationships left misaligned are a contract for pain unwittingly signed.

expectation-what we expect to happen or to be required of us in a situation or relationship

the process

the 7 c’s• craft

• confess

• convey

• co-develop

• clarify

• commit

• check

convey

co-develop

clarify

thealignment

cycle

enter exit (when clear)

thestart

craftthe

expectation

craftWe need to create our expectations with care. If they are not well thought through, they will have unforeseen consequences that we should

have avoided. This can be disastrous. We should craft our expectations to motivate us

and align with our goals and principles.

confessthe

likely gap

confessExpectations are often between individuals or groups. We usually assume that others view and understand things in the same way and manner that we do. This is rarely true. We must confess the likely gap that exists. This prepares us to enter the alignment cycle.

the alignment

cycle

convey

co-develop

clarify

thealignment

cycle

enter exit (when clear)

The next 3 steps make up the alignment cycle. This is a cycle because it will often need to be run more than once. The focus of this cycle is to remove the

gap we confessed in the last set and to exit with clear expectations that all will commit to.

Here is where the rubber meets the road...

conveythe

expectation

conveyIn the first step of the alignment cycle both

parties convey to the other their expectations or their separate interpretations of the

“shared” expectation. This will help to establish the misalignment or gap to be worked on

together in the next steps.

co-developthe

expectation

co-developIn this step we work together to close the

alignment gap. We may explore and adjust the expectation shared or craft new expectations

together. We need to be honest and open with what we understand, need or want. In the next step we will clarify to ensure what

we have co-developed are aligned.

clarifythe

expectation

clarifyThis must be a no assumption zone. We

must seek understanding and clarity. Consider. Ask. Restate. Discuss. Repeat.

Decide and spell out how it will be checked. Be open. Be honest. Be patient. This step sets up what we will commit to. If we are not ready to commit, we should cycle back

to the convey step.

theclose

committhe

expectation

commitFormalize the agreement.

Put it in writing.Ensure it is clear.

Plan when it will be checked.

checkthe

expectation

checkThis is not usually exciting but is a must. It is often a forgotten step. This is where we ensure our commitments are kept. This is the follow up. We must build it into the

expectation and into the commitment. We should strive to make it easy to do. This

will increase the likelihood we do it.