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August 2006
Creating Clear Agreements
By guest author, Athena Williams-Atwood, Inspired Action
I recently spoke to a client about the importance of setting clear agreements, and she said, "Oh, you mean those instances where I don’t communicate what I want clearly and it comes back to haunt me?" Exactly. Although we make agreements practically every day, many of us find it's not an easy process, and we often don’t get the results we had hoped for. Even when we believe we have been clear, we may not have been. Only later do we realize that something is missing.
An agreement is murky when you walk away assuming you know what the other person wants, defaulting to how you’ve usually done something or hoping that you’ll figure it out together. The results can range from frustration and stress to wasted time, effort and money. Unfortunately, most of us have been there.
Well-crafted agreements are powerful, clarifying intentions, detailing actions in support of a goal and creating momentum toward a shared vision. They help reduce or even eliminate stress because each participant understands what is expected.
An agreement is clear when it meets the criteria of this restated version of the SMART formula:
- Stunningly clear—You have complete clarity on the what, the how
and the when
- Measurable—You can measure success
- Action-oriented—You know which actions will deliver results
- Results-focused—You have linked this agreement to your mission
and values
- Time-bound—You have consensus on the due date and how
to re-negotiate it
When the owner of a PR firm realized that one client was constantly angry, we revisited their agreements. As the owner reviewed e-mails and project documentation, she began to recognize how a lack of clarity had led to missed deadlines, incomplete work, frustration and lost time. Equipped with the SMART formula, she checked each agreement and put a more collaborative, practical approach in place. As a result, she was able to modify the contract with the client and create clear agreements. Within two weeks, tension had dissipated, and their work together was back on track.
To begin creating clear agreements consider these questions:
- Are you clear in your current agreements with clients, colleagues and staff?
- What stops you from being clear with your agreements?
- Are you willing to generate absolute clarity for yourself and others?
- What could you gain from making a clear agreement with someone?
The following actions will help you create better agreements:
- Pick three recent agreements you've made. Were they clear or not? If so, how did you recognize clarity? What were the results? If not, what would you do differently?
- Classify your agreements along a continuum [very clear, clear, somewhat clear and very unclear—] and note where your agreements fall.
- Make a list of the top five issues you must consider in specific situations—such as communicating with colleagues, family, or friends—to ensure that you’ve created a clear agreement.
Success and reduced stress are the benefits of creating clear agreements. During the process, you’ll strengthen your communication skills, everyone's ability to understand what’s required and decrease your level of tension and anxiety.
Athena Williams-Atwood is the president of Inspired Action, a company that assists individuals and organizations to reduce stress and increase productivity/profitability. Inspired Action offers Working with Ease™ teleconference programs, as well as individual sessions and on-site corporate programs. Visit the organization at www.InspiredActionInc.com.
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