Business Sphere

Based on my personal experience, many conflicts are caused by unfulfilled expectations, while some are due to broken promises.

Conflicts are not productive, as it causes a friction in relationships, be it in marriage, family, business partners, in friendships and in our other personal dealings.

Conflicts also cause stress, tensions, and grievances, which often lead to illness.

Below are  eight ways on how to easily avoid conflict caused by unfulfilled expectations, as suggested by authors Sam Deep and Lyle Sussman:

1). Minimize the number of expectations you place upon others. Hold only expectations essential to the relationship.

2. Make fewer promises to others. You’ll be less likely to disappoint them. When forging a new relationship or when entering a new phase of an old one:

3. State your expectations clearly and solicit the same from the other person. In the cause of a job interview, you may wish to communicate these in writing.

4. Test these expectations for acceptability and for appropriateness.

5. Negotiate the expectations and establish a contract for mutual behavior.

6. Review and renew expectations as the relationship develops.

7. Use these expectations as the basis for regular performance feedback in both directions.

In existing personal relationships, when it’s too late to state expectations that should have been  stated at the beginning:

8. At least discuss expectations and ask how well you’re doing. In existing work relationships, it’s never too late to state expectations.

The revered Chinese philosopher Gautuma Buddha was quoted to have said: “Blessed are those who do not expect, for they shall not be disappointed.”