“Every leader’s job is to inspect what they expect.”
When people hear the word “audit,” most think of stress, paperwork, or someone poking around trying to find what’s wrong. The thing they tend to overlook is that a good manager is an auditor.
Every leader’s job is to inspect what they expect. You can’t just assume things are being done right. You’ve got to pay attention, ask questions, and follow up. It’s a way of protecting your business and the people who depend on it.
When I was a regional director at Marriott, half my job was auditing. I’d visit hotels to review their food and beverage operations, check inventory, and look at the financial statements. The best locations welcomed me because they knew I wasn’t there to catch them doing something wrong. I was there to help them get better. The ones who dreaded my visit usually weren’t following procedures and they knew it.
Auditing is really all about clarity and communication. Before I’d arrive, I’d tell them exactly what I was going to review, how the day would go, and when we’d be done. That simple bit of transparency took away the fear. It turned an inspection into a partnership.
The same goes for your team. When people know what you expect and why it matters, they relax and do better work. If they don’t know what’s coming, you create confusion and frustration for everyone. Most of the world’s problems start with poor communication, not bad intent.
Make clarity your habit. Audit your team, your systems, and yourself to make things run smoother. The goal isn’t to “catch” people; it’s to coach them. When you do that, they’ll actually look forward to seeing you walk through the door.
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Notable Moments
[03:39] Seeing management as part auditing, part leadership
[05:57] Why clarity prevents most workplace problems
[07:48] The real issue behind poor communication
[09:22] How clear expectations turn fear into trust
[11:32] Inspect what you expect every day