Tell me, who gets to take part in decision-making in your organization? No, I don’t mean who sits in at key meetings. I mean, who is heard and heeded?

In many organizations, some attendees attend meetings not because they can contribute to decision-making. They sit in because of the chair they occupy. The chair that marks their position in the hierarchy. (Often their position is at the level of their incompetence. If this statement makes no sense, then search on The Peter Principle.)

No surprise then that organizations with many sit-ins are the ones that struggle.

A few people get the most respect around the table. They are always heard and heeded. Who are they? The ones who deliver the most. They have earned trust by delivering on promises, exploiting opportunities and banking the results.

Again, no surprise that successful organizations have made room around the table for those who deliver. They don’t tolerate sit-ins.

If you want to be a heeded decision participant, then begin by being a trusted performer. No one really has faith in your judgement based on your rank, your volubility or your volume.

Welcome to my side of the nonsense divide.