A meeting is not yet a decision

You organize a meeting, invite everyone relevant, gather opinions, and discuss various perspectives. It feels responsible because no one is overlooked. But a conversation is not a substitute for a decision.

Meetings distribute responsibility. As long as everyone is talking, no one has to stand alone for a specific course of action. Discussion looks like participation, but it is often just a way to postpone an uncomfortable choice.

The commitment to what will be done, who is responsible for it, and the deadline for completion. Decisions are uncomfortable because they exclude alternatives and open the door to criticism.

At the end of the meeting, record one sentence: "We are deciding X. Person Y is responsible. Next step by date Z."