Acting Quickly and Decisively Is Advisable

Acting Quickly and Decisively Is Advisable

As is known, there are many advantages on waiting and thinking carefully. Carefully thinking tends to generate more considerate actions. However, from my point of view, acting quickly and decisively is more advisable. The reasons are as follows.

Firstly, quick and decisive action is a must to seize opportunities. As a saying goes, pluck flowers as they bloom; wait and you will have only the twigs. Opportunity is rare and does not knock at one’s door frequently, and a good opportunity seldom knocks twice. If the person fails to respond at the very moment it knocks, then he loses it forever. Especially in today’s society, fierce competitions can be seen everywhere at any moment. One opportunity may be the vital component for a triumph. Therefore, once a person senses a chance, he should evaluate it instantly and grasp it. Or, it will vanish away. For instance, in 203 B.C., Xiang Yu did not catch the opportunity to kill Liu Bang in the Hongmen Banquet, which led to the latter tragic failure and death of Xiang Yu.

Secondly, taking quick and decisive action is one of the indispensible characteristics a leader or successful businessman. As for a leader, if he often acts slowly or hesitates on big issues, he will set a vague direction for his subordinates to follow. Gradually, the subordinates will lose confidence towards his leadership. If a leader spends too much time on considering an issue, he may even lose the best moment to perform. What’s worse, he may hamper the whole progress of the project or the efficiency of the team.

Take me for instance. I was the leader of an environmental protection association last year, leading a team of 11 students, who were the administrators of six departments. One day, I noticed that there was tense air among them. It was found that a few of the administrators concerned their department’s benefit much more than that of the other departments. As a leader, I could try to alleviate...