At first glance, this video may seem simple even a bit childish. But look beyond the drawings, and it illustrates one of the most common and costly leadership challenges: assuming others see the same picture we do.
Imagine asking someone to “draw a horse.”
In your mind, you have a very specific picture of what you want, a realistic horse standing in a field, with particular features and details that define success. But because those expectations remain in your head, the other person fills in the blanks with their own interpretation. They draw the horse they envision, and when that drawing comes to life, it reflects their understanding of the assignment not yours.
The same thing happens in the workplace.
As leaders, we often assign work believing we’ve been clear because we know what we’re expecting. Yet the picture in our mind isn’t automatically the picture in someone else’s.
When expectations aren’t clearly defined, people naturally fill in the gaps based on their own experiences, assumptions, and interpretation. If the final result doesn’t match what we envisioned, it’s easy to conclude the work missed the mark.
But perhaps the real issue wasn’t performance. It was a lack of shared understanding.
High-performing leaders don’t simply delegate work, they create clarity before the work begins.
They take time to align on:
- What success looks like.
- What “great” versus “good enough” means.
- Which outcomes matter most.
- What constraints, priorities, and examples should guide the work.
- How progress and success will be measured.
When leaders and team members are working from the same picture, people have the clarity, confidence, and direction to meet and often exceed expectations.
Setting clear expectations isn’t about micromanaging. It’s about removing ambiguity, creating alignment, and setting people up for success.
Because leadership isn’t measured by how clearly something exists in your mind. It’s measured by how clearly others understand it.
What assumptions might you be making today that your team clearly understands but you’ve never actually made explicit?
