You Gotta Expect That

by | Apr 27, 2023 | Leadership

You gotta expect that!   

This is a phrase I use with some of my longest-standing friends from my hometown, Fenton, Michigan. Years ago, when I was living in Nashville, Tennessee, we were watching a University of Michigan game. They were playing Notre Dame, and we were all gathered around at the very end when Michigan kicked a field goal to win the game.  

I was in my 20s, and I went bull rushing in to tackle my buddies. They were holding colorful drinks that spilled all over the white carpet and were like, “Ron! What are you doing?” I said, “What? You gotta expect that!” and it’s become our catchphrase. Every time we’re together, we tell that story and say, “You gotta expect that!”   

If you’re watching a game with me, and Michigan does something big to win the game, you better have your head on a swivel. Maybe less so now at my age, but we’ll be hugging or high-fiving hard to celebrate. You gotta expect that!   

That phrase led me to think about it in other ways, like when I’m interviewing for executive positions or talking to leaders or people at the company. What can people expect of you? I think that’s a great question! We ask, “If you’re hired at Service Express, what can we expect? What can we count on from you?” Whether it’s work ethic, attitude, industry or technical knowledge, know what you bring to the table.  

Think about and apply it to your personal life too. As a parent, spouse, friend or child, what can others absolutely count on and expect from you? It’s an important question to consider and be able to answer. You can say, “Here’s who I am.” Then when you show up somewhere behaving that way, you can say, “You gotta expect that.” 

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About Me

I am the President & CEO of Service Express, a National Best & Brightest Company to Work For. Service Express has averaged double digit growth every year since 2001.

We attribute our success to a unique corporate culture that we call The Service Express Way. I am a member of the Young President Organization and sit on the Board of the Spectrum Health Foundation.