Decisiveness:

    Decisiveness is the ability to weigh all the facts in a situation, analyze them, and then arrive at a sound and timely decision.  But before you make a decision, you must be sure that you have all of the available facts.  In combat, a good plan that is executed in a timely manner and properly supervised is always better than a great plan that is executed in an untimely manner.  Decisiveness is largely a matter of practice and experience.  To develop the trait of decisiveness you should:

·         Form the habit of considering several points of view for every problem.

·         Learn from the mistakes of others.

·         Force yourself to make a decision and then check the decision to see if it is sound.

·         Talk to people and practice making your conversations logical and clear.

EXAMPLE:

1.  A bad example is General McClelland, the Union commander during the Battle of Sharpsburg during the Civil War.  Prior to the battle, he received a copy of General Lee's plan, including the current dispersed disposition of his forces.  If McClelland would have acted decisively, he could have defeated Lee's forces piecemeal.

REFERENCE:  Marine Corps Values and Leadership User's Guide for Discussion Leaders