Worked Example: Rewrite a Vague Yes

Boss request: "Can you own the partner issue?" The risk is that "own" could mean status tracking, stakeholder negotiation, legal escalation, or final recommendation. Outcome -> Decision -> Constraints -> Update -> Escalation The common shortcut is to say "Sure, I will own it" because it sounds accountable. That shortcut violates expectation-setting: it accepts responsibility before defining the outcome, decision rights, constraints, update rhythm, or escalation threshold. When the boss later says "I thought you were negotiating resolution," the rework is not a surprise; it was built into the vague yes. Outcome Ask what finished means: negotiated resolution, recommendation, status…

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