MOVE 64 · ALIGNMENT & COMMITMENT · FREE
Confirm in Their Words
Ask the other side to state the agreement in their own words, so differences in understanding appear before they become disputes.
Agreement is only shared when both sides can describe it the same way.
WHY IT WORKS
People hear what they expect. Asking someone to restate the agreement — rather than you restating it — reveals misunderstandings that a simple 'yes' hides. It also increases their ownership, because people commit more to what they have said themselves.
WHEN TO USE IT
- Important agreements are reached verbally.
- Past agreements with this counterpart have been remembered differently.
WHEN NOT TO USE IT
- The agreement is simple and asking would feel condescending.
- The setting is very senior and a written recap is more appropriate.
SIGNALS IT FITS
- Different people leave the same meeting with different conclusions.
- Agreements later 'change'.
PREPARATION
- Prepare a non-patronising way to ask, such as for their notes.
- Know the key terms you need to hear.
STEP BY STEP
- Ask them to summarise what was agreed.
- Listen for differences from your understanding.
- Clarify any gaps immediately.
- Follow with a written recap.
OPENING LINE
“Just so we're both clear, how would you describe what we've agreed?”
SCRIPT
Before we wrap up, could you summarise how you'd describe the agreement to your team? I want to make sure we're aligned.
LIKELY RESPONSES & COUNTERS
- If they summarise differently
- Thank them and resolve the difference immediately, before ending.
- If they summarise accurately
- Confirm and send the written recap.
SECOND MOVE
After they confirm the agreement in their own words, use Recap in Writing to fix it on the record.
FOLLOW-UP
Send the written recap within 24 hours.
COMMON MISTAKES
- Asking in a tone that implies they weren't listening.
- Ignoring small differences in their summary.
WALK-AWAY CONDITIONS
- Fundamental differences in understanding cannot be resolved even after clarification.
EXAMPLE (FICTIONAL)
After a negotiation, a contractor asked the client to summarise. The client said 'and you'll handle permits' — not agreed. Catching it then avoided a costly dispute months later.
ETHICAL BOUNDARY
Use this to check understanding, not to trap someone into a commitment they did not intend.
RELATED MOVES
Content version 1 · Drafted by Power Move IQ Editorial · Not yet human-reviewed · Educational decision support, not legal, financial or employment advice.