Ronald Reagan Quotes

Reagan did not suffer from the dismal plague of doubts which has assailed so many politicians in our times and which has rendered them incapable of clear decisions.

Great leaders are not proverbial fence sitters. They judge. They opine. They challenge. They fight for their vision.

I am very clear with people that I am willing and able to make tough choices, and I will do that.

I'm the decider, and I decide what is best.

One of the things I preach to all my staff is never be frightened to make a decision.

Courage and confidence are what decision making is all about.

Caution is an important quality in a leader, but it has to be caution followed by decision. Caution followed by ambivalence can be a weakness.

A leader does not deserve the name unless he is willing occasionally to stand alone.

When I come to a design decision, people know that is that.

I like someone who can take the reins, who knows what they want and is strong with me.

Presidents with strong nerves are decisive. They don't balk at unpopular decisions. They are willing to make people angry. Bush had strong nerves. Clinton, who passed up a chance to eliminate Osama bin Laden, did not. Obama is a people pleaser, a trait not normally associated with nerves of steel.

A man without decision can never be said to belong to himself.

My advice to women in general: Even if you're doing a nine-to-five job, treat yourself like a boss. Not arrogant, but be sure of what you want - and don't allow people to run anything for you without your knowledge.

I'm completely in charge of my own life now. Sometimes there's no one there to slap me on the hand and say: 'Stop being so bullish and bossy,' and things like that.

Never retreat. Never explain. Get it done and let them howl.

The way to develop decisiveness is to start right where you are, with the very next question you face.

Don't necessarily avoid sharp edges. Occasionally they are necessary to leadership.

I think possibly what people working for one hate the most is indecision. Even if I'm completely unsure, I'll pretend I know exactly what I'm talking about and make a decision. The most important thing I can do is try and make myself very clearly understood.

In civil business; what first? Boldness; what second and third? boldness.

The important thing is the boldness of the President. He will lead opinion and not follow it. He does not want war but will not shrink from it.

A government may not waver; once it has chosen its course, it must, without looking to right or left, thenceforth go forward.

I'm a rather decisive type.

Because I've always had a strong personality, I've always thought I knew what was best.

When it comes to making tough decisions, I'm ready to make them.

I try to lead. I do not follow.