For those of us who had the honor, or in some cases the endurance, to read Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, there was much in this novel that is relevant today. The story of the orphan boy, Pip, who was adopted by a kind blacksmith family and had luck and expectations, then through life, loses both his luck and expectations. Through this rise and fall, he learns to find happiness. The novel weaves together the dichotomies of poverty and wealth, love and rejection, and the eventual triumph of good over evil. The predominant moral theme, that has been repeated since time immemorial, and learned by Pip, is that affection, loyalty, and conscience are more important than social advancement, wealth, and class.
I have heard from manufacturers, investors, consultants and service providers that their expectations, at time, were not met, that developing a new product or ‘getting on the shelf’ or ‘into the right sales channels’ was taking too long, or that finding the best investment partner was more challenging than expected, or that the ROI was not accomplished.
It is absolutely necessary to have dreams, goals and expectations in life as well as in business. Without these, life becomes purposeless and void of the thrill of accomplishments. Dreams, goals and expectations create the future, can address challenges, and develop better solutions.
However, when one’s dreams, goals and expectations involve others, it is vital to truly assess the need, opportunity, impact, resources, challenges and the precise estimated effort to accomplish these. It is important to develop a Dream to Mainstream Plan, that clearly defines expectations within a timeline, within the team and within all restraints. And all plans should allow for Murphy’s Law and human foibles.
To paraphrase a brilliant lawyer and author, Douglas Noll, JD, MA, all conflicts and expectations can be addressed if agreements are made up front, if cooperative constructive processes to resolve conflicts is implemented and restore relationships.
As Pip learned affection, loyalty and conscience are more important that wealth. Success in any endeavor will occur when these vital elements are woven into all expectations, dreams and goals.
-Gillian Christie