If you find yourself on the receiving end of this statement, I feel for you. We’d like to think that staff and volunteers will enthusiastically respond to every request, and perform their best no matter what. However I’d venture a guess that many times there is a disconnect between your assumptions and someone else’s regarding responsibilities and priorities. When was the last time you looked at your own job description?

If your own, or others’ you have responsibility for, are so vague they could belong to anyone in a generic organization, do yourself a favor and take the time to make it real.

A clearly written list of expectations and functions is really important regardless of the size or structure of your organization, and whether this description is for a staff member or volunteer. The more specific it can be, and the better it describes how the role interacts with others, and in decision-making, will give clarity for all involved. What matters even more though, is ongoing communications and an environment that sorts out the disconnects before they become really sticky issues.

Watch for more about creating this environment in an upcoming article.