It’s Not What You Expect, It’s What You Inspect
One phrase has shaped my leadership more than almost any other: “It’s not what you expect. It’s what you inspect.” At first, I didn’t get it. I thought clear expectations were enough. But the real power of leadership comes from regularly checking in on what matters most, with honesty, intentionality, and a willingness to face the hard stuff before it grows.
The Leadership Lesson My Dad Taught Me
My dad, Don Smith, co-founder of Text In Church and my business partner since I was sixteen, has said this to me hundreds of times: “It’s not what you expect. It’s what you inspect.”
I didn’t fully understand it as a teenager. Back then, I thought leadership meant casting a vision and trusting people to run with it. If I explained things clearly, I assumed they’d go as planned.
But over the years, I’ve learned that’s not always how it works.
A Mistake That Brought the Lesson Back to Life
Just a few weeks ago, a team member made a big mistake. It wasn’t intentional, and it wasn’t careless, it was simply a miss. But it had real consequences.
As we worked through it together, I realized something important: the issue wasn’t just the mistake.
The issue was that we didn’t catch it sooner. We had meetings. We had check-ins. But they weren’t focused on the right things. They weren’t inspecting the critical areas where clarity and alignment were needed. On paper, we were communicating. In reality, we were skimming the surface.
And that’s when my dad’s words came flooding back.
Restructuring My Leadership Rhythms
That one moment caused me to reevaluate every leadership rhythm I had in place. I started looking at:
- Every one-on-one
- Every leadership check-in
- Every team meeting
I wasn’t interested in more meetings. I wanted better meetings.
I began asking: Are we talking about what really matters? Are we addressing the mission, the metrics, the health of the leader, and the unspoken tension? Or are we just going through the motions?
Inspection Isn’t Micromanagement, It’s Empowerment
This isn’t about control. It’s about clarity.
When you consistently inspect what matters most, you give your team freedom, not because they’re scared of making mistakes, but because they’re confident in the direction and the support they have.
It’s not about catching people doing something wrong. It’s about catching problems before they become patterns.
That’s what builds trust. That’s what keeps teams healthy.
A Generational Truth That Still Works Today
This lesson isn’t new for me. It’s personal. It’s generational. My dad lived it out in every business we built together. I’ve seen firsthand how this one shift, inspecting instead of just expecting, can change the trajectory of a team.
Now, it’s a rhythm in how I lead.
Every meeting I step into, I ask:
- Are we inspecting what really matters?
- Are expectations clear?
- Are we creating space for people to speak up?
Because leadership isn’t about hoping things get done, it’s about building systems of clarity, accountability, and support.
Before Your Next Meeting… Try This
Before your next check-in or one-on-one, take a minute to slow down and ask yourself:
- What am I actually inspecting in this time?
- Does the agenda match the responsibility?
- Is there space for honest conversation?
- Am I assuming, or am I asking?
Because sometimes, the thing you’re not checking on is the very thing that needs your attention most.
You might be one good conversation away from catching something that changes everything.
Why I Don’t Just Set Expectations, I Inspect What Matters Most
In this short video, I unpack why setting clear expectations isn’t enough, and how consistent inspection builds trust, accountability, and healthier teams.
▶ Watch: It’s Not What You Expect, It’s What You Inspect
You’ll hear how this lesson from my dad continues to shape the way I lead, and how you can apply it in your own leadership by creating simple rhythms of clarity and conversation that catch problems before they grow.
About Tyler Smith
Tyler Smith is the co-founder and CEO of Text In Church, a communication platform built to help churches connect with their people beyond Sunday mornings. With over 20 years of leadership experience, Tyler shares practical strategies to help church and business leaders grow with clarity and confidence.
He’s a husband, dad, and lifelong learner who’s passionate about building systems that empower people and strengthen communities.
