Are you setting clear expectations for your team?

Are you setting clear expectations for your team?

A few weeks ago, I was in a meeting with a newly promoted GM. Strong fixed ops background, less variable experience but driven and committed.

During our meeting, she kept getting pulled away by things happening on the showroom floor. After a few interruptions, I asked if we should reschedule.

"This has been my day for a while," she said. "I'm just trying to get the team up to speed."

She explained the team lacked urgency and visibility. I asked some follow-up questions, but it was clear her attention was split. We agreed to reconnect later.

As I was leaving, I looked around. The managers were on phones, working deals, they were busy and active.

I mentioned they seem productive.
"They're working but they're all over the place," she said.
So I asked: "Have you set daily expectations and standards for them?"
She looked surprised. "They all know what needs to be done."
I agreed but I added, unexpected problems show up every day. Distractions are constant in the showroom. Without something anchoring the day, even good managers drift.

I shared a simple daily checklist a mentor taught me years ago. Not micromanagement, just a focus tool. It keeps managers aligned, accountable, and clear on priorities. She liked it and I sent her my old template.

Here's what I'm seeing more often. Stores are running lean with fewer managers. And while that can work on paper, it creates chaos on the floor.
When teams are lean, clarity and ownership matters more.

Those teams need clearly defined daily expectations and standards. And they need to be held accountable to them. Without that, "busy" turns into reactive. And reactive turns into frustration.

Your team doesn't need more urgency speeches. They need clearer expectations. Busy doesn't always mean productive. And activity without direction feels like chaos.

Sometimes the fastest way to calm the floor is to slow down and get specific.