In a lot of the management and leadership books and courses, I do not often see mention of setting positive expectations.
Or, often, the so-called gurus give only a cursory mention.
I feel communicating positive expectations to members of a team is a much overlooked key component to a team leader’s success.
The American poet and novelist Carl Sandburg published a parable on this matter.
Below is one version of this parable, paraphrased by Robert Anton Wilson.
The poet Carl Sandburg once told a yarn about a farmer sitting on a fence.
A stranger passes on the road and asks, “How are the folks up in the town ahead?
“How were the folks where you come from?’ asked the farmer.
“They were a pretty mean, selfish, and unfriendly lot,” the stranger said bitterly. “That’s why I left.”
The farmer shook his head sadly. “I’m afraid you’re in for a disappointment. Folks in the next town are just the same.”
A while later, a second stranger came along the road and asked the same question.
“How were the folks where you came from?” the farmer asked again.
“They were great,” this fellow replied. “A kinder, more helpful people I never saw. I really hated to leave.”
“Well,” said the farmer, “don’t be sad. You’ll find the same kind of folks up ahead!”
