In any group, figure out who actually knows what’s going on. It’s rarely the one talking the most.

Volume and information are separate things. The person filling the silence is usually working from guesses, because people who actually know tend to speak less and only when it is useful. Following the loudest voice is how groups end up confidently wrong. The quiet one who answers precisely when asked is the one worth finding.

In your next group project or team meeting, watch for who gets asked when something needs settling. Then go to that person directly with your question instead of asking the room. It saves an hour of discussion and you get an answer that turns out to be right.