Nine months before Rosa Parks, there was 15-year-old Claudette Colvin. On March 2, 1955, Colvin was forced to make a decision between giving up her seat on the bus to a white person or getting arrested.
"All I remember is that I was not going to walk off the bus voluntarily."
- Claudette Colvin to NPR , pioneer of the Civil Rights movement
Colvin's decision to remain seated came after learning about trailblazers like Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman: Women who challenged the laws with confidence. The bus boycott pioneer was inspired to stand her ground. Colvin's conviction and decisive action spearheaded one of the most transformative movements in America.
What is decisiveness?
Decisiveness means coming to a firm conclusion quickly and effectively. As simple as that definition is, there is immense power in good decisions. We saw how CEO Mary Barra's decisiveness and action helped General Motors endure some major setbacks.
Take a look at how author Benedikt Ahlfeld's decision making process led him around the world and into the business world:
How to make a smart decision
Listen. Keep your eyes peeled and ears open. Observation gives you the opportunity to learn from a wide range of perspectives and gain knowledge to make an informed decision.
Weigh your options. Here is where you lay everything out on the table. Exploring all the avenues before making a decision can help you predict or map out the resolution that works best for you.
Follow through. Now it's time to push the big, scary, red button. Just joking. But, this is the last and most important phase of the decision-making process: Making the actual decision. After listening to others and examining your options, you're ready to make an effective decision.
Why is decision-making important?
An important decision are the building blocks of life. Decisions satisfy our cravings. Decisions find us the fastest route to action. Decision making skills guide us through difficult times in life. Some decisions can change the world. At Matter, we believe that the right decision is the one that is the best option for you. It's a healthy mix of observing, reflecting, and retrieving feedback to make a better decision for your growth. ✨
What is decisiveness?
Decisiveness is the ability to make clear, timely decisions and act on them, even with incomplete information. A decisive person weighs the available evidence, commits to a choice, and takes responsibility for the result rather than stalling.
Why decisiveness is important in the workplace
Indecision is costly: it delays progress, frustrates teams, and lets opportunities pass. Decisive leaders keep work moving, give their teams clarity and confidence, and free up energy that would otherwise be lost to second-guessing. It is one of the most visible markers of strong leadership.
How to become more decisive
- Set clear criteria. Know what a good outcome looks like before you choose.
- Limit your options. Narrow a long list to the two or three strongest choices.
- Give yourself a deadline. A time limit prevents analysis paralysis.
- Accept imperfect information. Most decisions can be made well without certainty.
- Learn from outcomes. Review your decisions so each one sharpens your judgment.
Frequently asked questions
What is an example of decisiveness?
A manager who quickly evaluates a stalled project, chooses a clear path forward, and communicates it to the team rather than waiting for more meetings is showing decisiveness.
Is decisiveness a skill or a trait?
It is both. Some people are naturally decisive, but it is also a skill that improves with clear criteria, practice, and learning from past decisions.
