Before you “Inspect What You Expect,” First Let Your Employees Know What You Expect of Them.

What is missing in the old saying – Inspect What You Expect?

When I first joined the Air Force in 1976, I was assigned to the base billeting office as a billeting clerk. My job was to ensure that authorized individuals had a place to stay in our on-base hotel-like accommodations. After six months of service, I was promoted to the base billeting accounting clerk (they love long titles in the Air Force – I think the Air Force thinks it makes up for the low pay). In this position I was told that the money had to all be accounted for on a daily basis and that a shortage of cash or theft could result in jail time. I also was told that a team of inspectors would come in and inspect my work at least once a year. These inspectors were feared by all and were known as the IG Team (Inspector General). The IG Team traveled from base to base with representatives who were experts in their fields – they knew what they were looking for! They were feared because a rating of “unsatisfactory” by them would mean that someone’s head would roll. When I asked my supervisor what criteria they would use to evaluate me, she responded by saying, “checklists!” I then asked her, “what checklist?” I then found out that there were universal standard Air Force checklists that ask specific questions relating to my field of work. These checklists clearly spelled out what was expected of my department. If you used these checklists in the daily performance of your duties, you didn’t need to fear the IG team. Well, guess what I did? I secured a copy of the checklist used for my department and followed the checklist! When the IG team did arrive to inspect my work, I always received outstanding ratings. It was not difficult; I just did what was expected of me. But I knew what was expected of me by first reading and knowing the checklist.