From birth to boardroom, expectations shape us – parents, school, career, money, body image, “success.” In this episode, we unpack the quiet pressure to live by other people’s maps, how it shows up in business and relationships, and what it looks like to set your own standards without burning everything down.

In this episode:

· Expectations from childhood to career – and why they stick

· The hidden tax of expecting others to share your drive

· Self-expectations: perfectionism, performance, and the moving goalposts

· Signals & status – cars, titles, postcodes, and what they really communicate

· Legacy paths vs your path – breaking pattern without breaking relationships

· A simple audit to see where you’re living their rules instead of yours

Try this (quick audit):
Make two columns for any recurring activity or goal: “Driver – Me” and “Driver – They.” Note which voice is setting the standard (you, family, peers, industry, “society”). Adjust one small behaviour this week to align with Me.

Chapters
0:00 Cold open & why “expectations” matters
2:10 Expectations start earlier than you think
7:45 Expecting employees to think like owners
12:30 Self-expectations, perfection, and the 89% problem
18:20 Status signals – suits, cars, postcodes
24:40 Legacy business vs your calling
31:10 A practical expectations audit
36:50 Final takeaway & next step

If this resonated:

· Subscribe for more straight-talk on business, mindset, and meaning.

· Comment: Where are you living someone else’s expectations—and what’s your next micro-shift?

· Share with a founder or leader who needs this reminder.

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Got thoughts, questions, or a topic you'd love us to explore? We'd love to hear from you.
Reach out to us at:

[email protected]

Paul Davis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauldavisdublin/

Andrew Rhatigan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewrhatigan/