Expectations are part of life and are inescapable. We have expectations for ourselves, as well as for those we share personal and working relationships.

When was the last time you sat down and talked about mutual expectations with a personal or working relationship? These conversations do not happen often enough. Most relationship behavioral patterns avoid talking about what could be potentially awkward and difficult. However, avoiding these conversations could be detrimental to those relationships and stunt personal and professional growth opportunities.

Adam Wynbrandt has been in the farrier industry for 30 years — first as a farrier and now as owner of The Horseshoe Barn. His customers have become like family. As with most families, they have deep discussions on how to solve world problems and issues within the farrier industry. Over the past few years, Wynbrandt has heard several established farriers and their apprentices/associates complain about how their situations are not working out. The common root problem in their stories was a lack of clearly laid out expectations from both parties. What used to be the simple but clear expectation from employers of, “show up to work and work hard,” seems to be over, as a solid work ethic is in short supply in…