Which term describes an oral order given to direct or cause a subordinate leader or lead element to take action?

Which term describes an oral order given to direct or cause a subordinate leader or lead element to take action?

• A. Directive
• B. Command
• C. Leadership
• D. Element

Answer: (A)

The concept here is the exact form of a supervisor’s instruction that directs action. An oral order given to direct or cause a subordinate leader or lead element to take action is a directive. It’s the specific instruction issued by someone in authority that requires the subordinate to perform a designated task. A command is the broader authority to direct and control forces, not the particular instruction itself. Leadership is about guiding and influencing people, not issuing a single action directive. An element is simply a unit or portion of a force, not an instruction. So, when the emphasis is on the instruction that compels action, the correct term is directive. For example, a supervisor issuing an oral directive to advance to a location is directing action through a formal instruction.

The concept here is the exact form of a supervisor’s instruction that directs action. An oral order given to direct or cause a subordinate leader or lead element to take action is a directive. It’s the specific instruction issued by someone in authority that requires the subordinate to perform a designated task. A command is the broader authority to direct and control forces, not the particular instruction itself. Leadership is about guiding and influencing people, not issuing a single action directive. An element is simply a unit or portion of a force, not an instruction. So, when the emphasis is on the instruction that compels action, the correct term is directive. For example, a supervisor issuing an oral directive to advance to a location is directing action through a formal instruction.