--- title: "Culture Snapshot: The Myth of “Just Knowing” Expectations" description: In this Culture Snapshot episode, Beth spends a few minutes breaking down why unclear expectations lead to disengagement, especially among mid-tenure employees. image: https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/hubfs/CoC__Ep43_Cover%20Graphic.png --- [![UYC-logoNo-Subtext](https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/hubfs/Logos/UYC-logoNo-Subtext.png "UYC-logoNo-Subtext")](https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/) [![UYC-logo-img-2](https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/hubfs/UYC%20-%20April%202020/Images/UYC-logo-img-2.png "UYC-logo-img-2")](https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ** ** [setting expectations](https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/blog/tag/setting-expectations), [company culture](https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/blog/tag/company-culture), [podcasts](https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/blog/tag/podcasts), [employee engagement](https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/blog/tag/employee-engagement) | 3 MIN READ # Culture Snapshot: The Myth of “Just Knowing” Expectations ![Culture Snapshot: The Myth of Just Knowing Expectations](https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/hubfs/CoC__Ep43_Cover%20Graphic.png) [![Brent Tripp](https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/hubfs/CSS_Images/Headshots/Brent.jpg) ](https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/blog/author/brent-tripp) [By Brent Tripp](https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/blog/author/brent-tripp) ![Culture Snapshot: The Myth of Just Knowing Expectations](https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/hubfs/CoC__Ep43_Cover%20Graphic.png)   Many leaders assume their people know exactly what’s expected of them, but the data says otherwise.  In this brief Culture Snapshot episode, Beth spends a few minutes breaking down why unclear expectations lead to disengagement, especially among mid-tenure employees. She also shares simple ways to bring clarity and alignment back into focus. ### The Clarity Gap You Might Not See It’s easy for leaders to assume that once an employee is settled into their role, they’re clear on what success looks like. After all, there was a job description, a goal-setting conversation, and maybe even a performance review. That should cover it… right? Not exactly. Beth shares fresh insights from the [**ENGAGE 2025: The Company Culture Report**](https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/company-culture-report), revealing that **only 63% of employees feel clear about what’s expected of them** this year. That means **more than one-third are unsure**, and surprisingly, it’s not the newest hires who are most in the dark. The biggest drop in clarity appears among **mid-tenured employees, those with 3 to 5 years of experience**. Over time, leaders often make silent assumptions: "*They’ve been here a while… they must get it by now."* But that mindset can lead to disengagement. ### Why Unclear Expectations Erode Engagement Beth explains that unclear expectations aren’t just frustrating; they’re **demotivating**. When employees don’t know what success looks like: - They spin their wheels. - They hesitate to make decisions. - They lose momentum. - And eventually, they disconnect from their work and the larger mission. She compares it to being sent on a road trip with no GPS, no map, and no destination. You can keep going for a while, but eventually, the uncertainty catches up to you. ### A Simple Fix That Costs Nothing The good news? Creating clarity doesn’t require a new software platform or an elaborate strategy. It just requires **intentional conversations**. Beth offers a straightforward challenge: **Have a quick expectations check-in with each team member.** Ask just two questions: 1. *What do you think success looks like for you this quarter?* 2. *Is there anything that feels unclear or is holding you back?* That’s it. You’re not micromanaging. You’re bringing alignment and purpose back into focus. ### The Takeaway [Clear expectations](https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/blog/developing-talent-with-expectations-feedback-and-recognition) are one of the **most powerful drivers of engagement**, and yet, they’re too often overlooked (especially for employees who have been with your company for a few years). Don’t let your team operate in the dark. Revisit expectations regularly, have simple check-ins, and ensure every person on your team knows what success looks like. Because when clarity goes up, performance and motivation follow. [ Return to Blog ](https://blog.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/uyc-test-blog) [** The Recognition Deficit: Why So Many Feel Unseen at Work ](https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/blog/the-recognition-deficit-why-so-many-feel-unseen-at-work) [** The Bait and Switch: When Culture Doesn’t Match the Pitch ](https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/blog/the-bait-and-switch-when-culture-doesnt-match-the-pitch) ### About Author ![Brent Tripp](https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/hubfs/CSS_Images/Headshots/Brent.jpg) [Brent Tripp](https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/blog/author/brent-tripp) [ read more by Brent Tripp ](https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/blog/author/brent-tripp) Related Posts [![Have Core Values? Your Employees Probably Can’t Recite Them](https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/hubfs/CoC__Culture%20Snapshot-Core%20Values%20Cant%20Recite%20Blog%20Graphic.png) Have Core Values? Your Employees Probably Can’t Recite Them ](https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/blog/have-core-values-your-employees-probably-cant-recite-them) [![Why Your Culture Problem Looks Like an Operations Problem](https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/hubfs/CoC__Culture%20Snapshot-Why%20Your%20Culture%20Problem%20Looks%20Like%20an%20Operations%20Problem%20Cover%20Graphic.png) Why Your Culture Problem Looks Like an Operations Problem ](https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/blog/why-your-culture-problem-looks-like-an-operations-problem) [![Is Your Hiring Process Undermining Your Culture?](https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/hubfs/UYC_Q2%202026-June-Hiring%20Process%20Undermining%20Culture.png) Is Your Hiring Process Undermining Your Culture? ](https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/blog/is-your-hiring-process-undermining-your-culture) ** Share This! - [**](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/blog/culture-snapshot-the-myth-of-just-knowing-expectations/) - [**](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/blog/culture-snapshot-the-myth-of-just-knowing-expectations/) - [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/blog/culture-snapshot-the-myth-of-just-knowing-expectations/&summary=&source=CeBIT) - [**](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/blog/culture-snapshot-the-myth-of-just-knowing-expectations%20&body=Check%20out%20https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/blog/culture-snapshot-the-myth-of-just-knowing-expectations) ## Leave a Comment [![UYC-logoNo-Subtext1](https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/hubfs/UYC-logoNo-Subtext1.png "UYC-logoNo-Subtext1")](https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/) ENGAGE YOUR TEAM. GROW YOUR BUSINESS. ### COMPANY ### FROM OUR BLOG ## [Have Core Values? Your Employees Probably Can’t Recite Them](https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/blog/have-core-values-your-employees-probably-cant-recite-them) ## [Why Your Culture Problem Looks Like an Operations Problem](https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/blog/why-your-culture-problem-looks-like-an-operations-problem) ## [Is Your Hiring Process Undermining Your Culture?](https://uyc.thecenterforsalesstrategy.com/blog/is-your-hiring-process-undermining-your-culture) ### THE CSS FAMILY DIVISIONS ### RESOURCES ### Connect with us [** ** ](https://www.facebook.com/upyourculture) [** ** ](https://twitter.com/upyourculture) [** ** ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/upyourculture) ### Subscribe to Our Blog © 2022 Up Your Culture. Privacy Policy ![](https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/882176957/?value=0&guid=ON&script=0)