Expectations

Incorporating Expectations to Create Meaning and Purpose

Expectations!  This is what came to mind after viewing Viktor Frankl’s address entitled, Why to Believe in Others.  In this address he spoke adamantly about how we should be idealist towards men by over estimating them.  This is to say that we should have high expectations of man.  He says that the realistic view of man is that they predominantly want to find meaning and purpose in life.  This is as opposed to the surprising minority who prefer to just make a lot of money.

His presentation was for the sole purpose of enlightening his audience.  Frankl’s speech helped me understand the behavioral psychological method of motivating people.  This method of over estimating them or as it resonates with me, having high expectations, is something that can be useful in motivating future employees.  Whether or not the majority of people still seek to find meaning and purpose in life as opposed to just making a lot of money, I am not sure.  After all Frankl’s speech took place in the 70’s.  Nonetheless, the importance of expectations and faith in mankind are absolutely still necessary components in effectively leading others.  This is how I can apply the contents of his speech to better effect individual’s behavior, individuals being my future employees who will represent my brand.

His speech helped me further my understanding of the need to form expectations for your company but also of your company.  As a business owner you conceptualize how you want your business to be perceived by potential or existing customers.  As a result of your branding, advertising and marketing efforts, the consumers adopt expectations or attempt to make meaning of your business. 

In the words of our beloved Republican presidential candidate, Willard Mitt Romney, “corporations are people my friend.”  With this in mind, my corporation will seek to create meaning and purpose for its employees and for its customers.  This is where it gets tricky, I will have high expectations for my corporation (employees) to satisfy and modestly surpass the expectations of its customers.

Once you have written the story you have set the bar for what your customers should expect.  To stray from that would be inevitably detrimental to maintaining the trust and ultimately the support of your customers.

My fundamental understanding of Business Story telling and Brand Development was realized from this speech.  This subject is about formulating expectations, brand development; promoting those expectations, business storytelling; and living up to those expectations, operating a successful business.