"where you sit is also important."

To be honest, I could have started this column with "where you sit is also important."  The reality is that where you sit influences where you stand, but where you stand has a direct bearing on where you sit.  Let me explain.



In our business and governmental world, each one of us is influenced by the position we occupy in the organization as to how we will feel about certain projects that are brought to the decision table.  For example, the research and development department and the sales department like to spend money to develop new products.  On the other hand, the accounting department would probably feel that, in view of the economy, they should be more cautious in investing funds which might not produce a return for a long time.  That's where the decision-making process is so important.  All factors have to be weighed and analysed as to the long-range best interests of the company. Once the facts are in, the decision has to be made and that decision will affect the entire company.  That's the reason input from everyone involved is important.



It's also true that where a person stands influences to a very large degree where they sit.  Research very clearly indicates that people who take a stand for what is right, build on an ethical, moral base and stand on principle, are the ones who end up in the upper echelons of business.  When you put these two factors together, it simply means that the person of integrity (and, obviously, experience and ability) is going to be the one who is most likely to end up making those all-important decisions about the best place to put the company time and resources.  It's still true that the best way is the right way, or the right way is the best way.