There are several reasons why standing up works. Here they are:

When two people are conversing, one sitting and one standing, the one standing is in the most powerful position to have control - there are exceptions; people with high status positions are typically not dominated by a standing subordinate; sometimes high status people who choose to be ruthless with their need to dominate leave a person standing just to assert their position power.

You are asserting control of your "turf" -- what happens in your office has an impact on your effectiveness; you have the right and the obligation to control what happens there.

When you are standing, your visitor is less likely to sit down without an invitation to do so -- your asserting control results in most visitors waiting on you for directions; if you don't sit down and ask your visitor to do so, he/she probably won't.

Standing conversations tend to be shorter than sitting conversations -- when people are standing, there is a sense that there's an urgency - something to go back to or someplace to go; also, more assertiveness and social finesse are required of you to get sitting visitors to stand up and leave.

When standing, it is easier to initiate a casual move toward your door or cubicle entrance to signal the visit is ending -- your move toward the door or cubicle entrance is a socially acceptable behavior; most people will respond and not feel abused by your action.

It is not a sin to have poor Time Management habits and skills, but it is to keep them.

To assess your Time Management habits and skills and learn hundreds of new Time Management techniques to spearhead your personal development, as well as have the option to receive 360 degree feedback from co-workers, go to: