unclear expectations
Vague goal posts
Unclear expectations are requirements or standards that haven't been communicated well enough for someone to know what's actually wanted.
The phrase usually appears when something goes wrong: The project failed due to unclear expectations on both sides.
It implies that better communication upfront would have prevented disappointment or conflict.
- ambiguousHaving multiple interpretations
- vagueUnclear, ill-defined
- confusingCausing mental uncertainty
- murkyDark and unclear
- hazyUnclear, indistinct
foggy · miscommunication · guesswork · mind reading · uncertainty · flying blind · mixed signals · mixed messages · lost in translation · frustration · anxiety · walking on eggshells · lost · wandering · assumptions · misunderstanding · moving target · unspoken
- productivity killersdistractions, procrastination, wasted time, multitasking, micromanagement
- work problemslayoff, firing, low pay, burnout, deadline pressure
- obstaclesbarriers, block, obstacles, barrier, blockers
- hiring mistakesnepotism, bait and switch, halo effect, poor communication
unclear, expectations, clear, expect, unclearly, clearness, clarity, clarify, clarification