Your Team Cannot Read Your Mind

One of the biggest mistakes leaders make—especially in small businesses—is assuming people know what they want.

You think you have been clear. You think they understand the priorities. You think everyone is on the same page. But then the deadline gets missed. The tone was off. The follow through did not happen. And suddenly you are wondering why your people are not getting it.

The problem is not usually effort. It is clarity.

In smaller teams, things move fast. A lot of instructions happen in passing. Expectations shift on the fly. But if your team is constantly trying to read between the lines or figure out what you really meant, you are not leading—you are leaving people guessing.

Your team does not need more meetings or motivational speeches. They need consistent expectations, clear direction, and the safety to ask questions without getting shut down.

When people know what is expected of them, they can focus on doing the work. They stop overthinking. They stop second guessing. They start showing up with confidence and consistency.

If your team keeps missing the mark, it might be time to look at how you are communicating—not what you assume they already know.

We help small business leaders build habits and systems that make communication clearer, faster, and less frustrating for everyone involved.

Start the process at www.jandmsolves.com. Click Home, then Yes I want that. Let’s get everyone moving in the same direction for real.