Systems
Traction
Gino Wickman
A practical operating system for growing past the owner's limits.
Recommended for: My Business Has No Accountability
All Challenges
Leadership
My Business Has No Accountability
Every important task needs ONE owner, a deadline, and a follow-up.
The Challenge
Every important task needs ONE owner, a deadline, and a follow-up.
Why This Happens
- Tasks assigned to 'the team'
- No deadlines
- No follow-up
Questions to Ask Yourself
- 1.Does every important task have one owner?
- 2.Is there a deadline?
- 3.Is there a follow-up date?
What to Do First
1
Make a 'Who Owns What' list.
2
Assign one owner to each item.
3
Set follow-up dates.
Step-by-Step Solution
- 1
ONE owner
- 2
Deadline
- 3
Expected outcome
- 4
Status
- 5
Follow-up date
Three Levels of Solutions
Quick Win
Do this today
Assign one owner to your three most important tasks.
Build the System
Next 30 days
Keep a 'Who Owns What' list and review it weekly.
Long-Term Transformation
Where you're headed
A culture of clear, respectful accountability.
Lessons From the Pass It On Library
From Principles
Clear ownership creates accountability.
Framework: Mistake → Lesson → Principle → System
From The E-Myth Revisited
Systems define responsibilities.
Framework: Technician (does the work) · Manager (creates order) · Entrepreneur (builds the future)
Pass It On Action
Never assign a task to 'the team' again.
Practical Tool
Who Owns What?
Fill it in here, then download or print. Your answers stay on your device.
Your Action Plans
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7-Day Action Plan
- Day 1 — Identify the problem: write down exactly how “My Business Has No Accountability” shows up in your business.
- Day 2 — Review the numbers: gather the facts, figures, and examples connected to this challenge.
- Day 3 — Find the root cause: answer “Does every important task have one owner?”
- Day 4 — Choose one change: Make a 'Who Owns What' list.
- Day 5 — Assign responsibility: name ONE owner, a deadline, and the expected result.
- Day 6 — Implement: Assign one owner to each item.
- Day 7 — Review what happened: what worked, what didn’t, and what you’ll do next week.
30-Day Action Plan
Week 1 — Diagnose
- Answer: Does every important task have one owner?
- Answer: Is there a deadline?
- Answer: Is there a follow-up date?
- Complete the 7-Day Action Plan.
Week 2 — Build
- Keep a 'Who Owns What' list and review it weekly.
- ONE owner
- Deadline
- Expected outcome
Week 3 — Implement
- Status
- Follow-up date
- Train the people involved and assign owners.
Week 4 — Measure & Improve
- Compare results to where you started.
- Write one lesson learned.
- Adjust the process.
- Share what you learned with someone in the fellowship.
Biblical Principles
Wisdom for the journey — encouraging stewardship, integrity, and service, never a promise of guaranteed success.
#22 · Leadership
Great leaders carry responsibility
Matthew 20:26–28
#32 · Integrity
Your word should mean something
Matthew 5:37
#65 · Customers
Keep your commitments
Matthew 5:37
Related Challenges
Recommended Books
Approved Bookshelf resources related to this challenge.
Systems
The E-Myth Revisited
Michael E. Gerber
Why most small businesses fail — and how systems save them.
Recommended for: My Business Has No Accountability
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