Hey Lykkers! So, your team just had a great meeting. The strategy is set. The big decision is made. Energy is high.

Everyone heads back to their desks feeling productive... only to realize two days later: Wait, who was supposed to actually do that thing?

Sound familiar? You’re not alone. The distance between a great decision and its execution is often a gap called “role ambiguity.” The excitement of what we’re doing fades fast without clarity on who is doing it. That’s where a focused “Who Does What?” Meeting comes in. Think of it not as another boring meeting, but as a 20-minute launchpad that turns ideas into action.

A brilliant strategy without clear ownership is just a good intention. According to Patrick Lencioni, author of The Advantage,"Team members who are not held accountable for their actions will ultimately lower the standards of the entire team."

This isn’t about blame; it’s about clarity. When everyone is vaguely responsible, no one is specifically accountable. The “Who Does What?” meeting closes this gap by assigning a Directly Responsible Individual (DRI) for each action item.

The 3-Part Framework for a Lightning-Fast Meeting

This meeting has one goal: crystal-clear ownership. Keep it short and structured. Here’s your simple agenda:

1. The Recap & List (5 Minutes)

The leader quickly restates the core decision: “We’ve decided to launch the new client onboarding checklist by Q3.” Then, visually list every single action item needed to make that happen on a whiteboard or shared screen. No item is too small if it requires effort.

2. The “Who” & “By When” Roll Call (10 Minutes)

This is the core. Go down the list, item by item. For each one, ask: “Who is the DRI for this?” That person’s name goes next to the task. Then, ask them: “What is a realistic ‘By When’ date?” Let them own the deadline. Assigning vague tasks is unkind; clarifying ownership is an act of respect and efficiency.

3. The Communication & Close (5 Minutes)

Confirm: “Does everyone see their name and dates?” Then, state the next step: “I will send out this finalized list within 10 minutes. This is our marching order.” This public record is your team’s contract.

Pro-Tips to Avoid Common Pitfalls

One Name Per Task: No “co-owners.” A single DRI prevents finger-pointing. Others can be helpers, but one person reports on progress.

Empower, Don’t Dump: When assigning, ask, “Do you have what you need to get this started?” This turns an order into a supported mission.

Schedule the Next Check-In Now: Before you adjourn, put a 15-minute stand-up on the calendar for two weeks out just to review the list. This builds immediate accountability into the calendar.

Lykkers, the magic of this meeting isn’t in the talking—it’s in the listing, naming, and dating. It transforms abstract ideas into a personal to-do list for each team member. It replaces the anxiety of “I think someone is handling that” with the confidence of “I am handling this.”

Don’t let your best decisions die in the hallway after the meeting ends. Invest 20 minutes to launch them properly. Your future, less-stressed selves will thank you.