Assign the Next Step

Ideas without assigned next steps die. The follow-up must name a specific action, owned by a specific person, with a specific deadline:

• Weak: "Let us keep discussing this when we get a chance."
• Strong: "Sarah, could you run the pilot with your team and share results by March 15?"
• Weak: "I will send more information sometime soon."
• Strong: "I will send the cost analysis by Wednesday — can you review it?"

Specificity creates accountability. Vagueness gives everyone permission to forget, and every unassigned action item is an idea that never gets done.