MOVE 61 · ALIGNMENT & COMMITMENT · FREE
Ask for the Specific Yes
Request a concrete commitment — what, who, by when — rather than general agreement, so 'sounds good' turns into action.
General agreement costs nothing; specific commitments cost something, which is why they matter.
WHY IT WORKS
People readily agree in principle and then do nothing because nothing specific was promised. Asking for a precise action with an owner and date tests whether agreement is real, makes follow-through more likely and surfaces hidden objections while you are still in the room.
WHEN TO USE IT
- Meetings end with nods but no actions.
- You need someone else to act for your work to progress.
WHEN NOT TO USE IT
- The other side is still exploring and pressing for commitment would feel premature.
- You lack authority to hold them to the commitment and it would create false expectations.
SIGNALS IT FITS
- Responses like 'sounds good', 'let's do it', with no follow-through.
- Next steps are owned by 'we'.
PREPARATION
- Decide the exact action you need from them.
- Choose a realistic date.
STEP BY STEP
- Summarise the agreement.
- Ask who will do the specific action.
- Ask by when.
- Repeat the commitment back and confirm in writing.
OPENING LINE
“Great — so who will send the contract, and by when?”
SCRIPT
Great. So you'll send the signed contract to legal by Wednesday, and I'll schedule kickoff for the following Monday. Is that right?
LIKELY RESPONSES & COUNTERS
- If they hesitate on the date
- Ask what would make a date realistic and agree on that.
- If they commit clearly
- Thank them and send the written confirmation the same day.
SECOND MOVE
If the commitment slips, use Name the Missed Commitment.
FOLLOW-UP
Send the confirmation within two hours of the conversation.
COMMON MISTAKES
- Assigning the action to 'we'.
- Accepting 'soon' as a date.
WALK-AWAY CONDITIONS
- Specific commitments are repeatedly avoided while general agreement continues.
EXAMPLE (FICTIONAL)
A partnerships lead ended a call by asking, 'Who will send the data sample, and when?' The partner named an analyst and Friday. It arrived Friday, unlike the three previous 'we'll get that over' promises.
ETHICAL BOUNDARY
Ask for commitments the other person can genuinely make. Pressuring someone to promise beyond their authority sets them up to fail.
RELATED MOVES
Content version 1 · Drafted by Power Move IQ Editorial · Not yet human-reviewed · Educational decision support, not legal, financial or employment advice.