Get decisions made without confusion or delays

Before you send this up the chain, take a few minutes to write down what you need decided and why it matters. List out the options you see and what you'd recommend. A clear one-page summary beats a rambling 30-minute meeting every time - and it shows you've already done your homework.

Start with your direct manager - they're closest to your day-to-day work and can usually handle routine approvals on the spot. Share your written summary, talk through the options, and get their take. If it's beyond what they can approve, they'll point you to the right person next. Most decisions won't need to go further than this.

If your manager can't sign off on this, it's time to bring in a senior manager. They've got authority over budgets, cross-team resources, and policy calls. When you present to them, don't just dump the problem - come with clear options and your own recommendation. They'll respect that you've thought it through.

If it's gotten this far, it's a big deal - think major financial commitments, company-wide policy shifts, or strategic direction changes. Come in prepared with full context, a clear recommendation, and what happens if they say yes or no. Keep your pitch tight and focused - executives don't have time for lengthy presentations.

Now that there's a decision, don't let it live only in someone's head. Tell everyone who needs to know, and write down what was decided, who approved it, and the reasoning behind it. Trust us - you'll be glad you did this when someone asks "why did we go that route?" six months from now.