Rand demonstrates it well in the next chapter (I'll try to avoid spoilers here) with Dagny's interaction with a guard.
The concept that I'm referring to is the act of indecision. How can indecision be an act? I'll let others better able to articulate the definition do so but will demonstrate how it works.
Those of us who are blessed with raising teenagers have probably heard the retort 'whatever' in response to any number of requests made of them. The proper rejoinder is thus-
"Since 'whatever' encompasses such a vast array of possibilities, I'll select from this list of chores that need done...." You can see how the vagueness of the 'whatever' can be used against them (for their own good ,of course:) ).
Dagny has been saying 'whatever' for a long time, that allowed the Looters to make her decisions for her. She was abdicating her responsibilities by _not_ making a choice.